# NTSB ERA11CA377: Cessna 150M, N9416U, Ridgeway, VA, July 5, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 5, 2011, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeway, VA
- Coordinates: 36.584445, -79.889724 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5844&lon=-79.8897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA377
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81003/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81003
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA377

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to takeoff using a flap setting higher than the manufacturer's recommended setting for takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and his student completed the preflight inspection and engine run up. The airplane became airborne about 1/3 way down the runway, climbed slowly and collided with trees at the departure end of the runway. The airplane descended, impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination revealed the airplane was at or slightly over the maximum takeoff weight, and the flaps were set at 10-degrees. According to the airplane's pilot operating handbook, the best rate of climb with no obstacles should be performed with zero flaps. The CFI reported that there were no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the flight instructor, he and the private pilot under instruction filled the fuel tanks, performed a preflight inspection, taxied to the runway and completed an engine run up. They began the takeoff roll, with the flaps set at 10 degrees, from the 3,000-foot-long,up-sloped, turf runway and the airplane became airborne about one-third down the runway. The airplane climbed slowly and the flight instructor realized that it would not be able to clear the trees at the end of the runway. The private pilot applied the left rudder in order to turn the airplane and stay clear of the trees, but soon the instructor took the flight controls because he realized that the airplane was going to impact the trees. The airplane struck the trees approximately 20 feet from the tops, impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted. During the accident sequence, the fuselage, wings, and empennage were substantially damaged. The flight instructor reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Weight and balance calculations revealed that the airplane was at or slightly over the maximum takeoff weight provided by manufacturer. Also, the owner's manual stated that the best rate of climb was with flaps up and that the "use of 10 degrees of flaps is reserved for minimum ground runs or for take-off from soft or rough fields with no obstacles ahead."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9416U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9416U-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 15078364, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078364
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Davis Robert L
- Registered owner: Davis Robert L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2010
- Departed: VA02, Ridgeway, VA
- Destination: MOR, Morriston, TN
- Airport: VA02, Pace Airport, runway 18, 3,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 31; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 17, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 1,480 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 29; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 28, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 239 total, 156 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: MTV, 6 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20110705015629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110705015629A), Jul 5, 2011: Cessna 150M, Ridgeway, VA, Substantial damage. On 07/05/2011 at 12:26 pm, a Cessna 150M departed VA02 (Pace airfield) from a grass runway, uphill, with a tailwind, about 50 lbs over gross weight, and with…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81003. 5.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 584 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot and Witness Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Witness%20Interview%20Summaries-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 671 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Flight Path of Airplane (item 4, .PDF, 380 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Path%20of%20Airplane-Master.PDF
- Excerpts from Cessna 150 Owners Manual (item 5, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Cessna%20150%20Owners%20Manual-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - Weight and Balance Calculation (item 6, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weight%20and%20Balance%20Calculation-Master.PDF
- MTV Weather Observations (item 7, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=MTV%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Front View of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351912&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Front%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Side view of airplane wreckage. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351913&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Side%20view%20of%20airplane%20wreckage.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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