# NTSB ERA12CA283: Cessna 150M, N714JJ, Cedartown, GA, April 14, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 14, 2012, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Cedartown, GA - Coordinates: 34.018611, -85.146385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0186&lon=-85.1464&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83389 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA283 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83389/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83389 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA283 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the wind at the airport was from 210 degrees at 8 knots, and he elected to depart from runway 28. He aligned the airplane with the runway, and applied power. The tail rose during the takeoff roll, and several hundred feet later the airplane began veering to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with right brake but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the south side of the runway and came to rest upright with the right main landing gear separated and structural damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that at the time of the accident the windsock depicted the wind to be from 210 degrees at 8 knots. Based on that indication he elected to depart from runway 28, and back taxied the tailwheel equipped airplane to the approach end of runway 28. He aligned the longitudinal axis of the airplane with the runway, then applied power. The tail raised during the takeoff roll, and several hundred feet later the airplane began veering to the left. He attempted to correct with right brake but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the south side of the runway and came to rest upright with the right main landing gear separated. Structural damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer was observed. Postaccident inspection of the right main landing gear by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N714JJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714JJ-2012-05-21), registration cancelled 2012-05-21, S/N 15079209, built 1977 (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: 15079209 - Airframe hours: 6687 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wimpey Robert J - Registered owner: Wimpey Robert J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2011 - Departed: 4A4, Cedartown, GA - Destination: BWG, Bowling Green, KY - Airport: 4A4, Polk County Airport, runway 28, 4,006 × 76 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 12,250 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: PUJ, 12 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 20120414006249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120414006249A), Apr 14, 2012: Cessna 150M, Cedartown, GA, Substantial damage. On April 14, 2012 at 17:30, inspectors from this office arrived at Cedartown airport (4A4) to investigate an aircraft loss of control on departure from runway… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83389. 11.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 867 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366817&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 271 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversation With Pilot (item 5, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation%20With%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by Pilot. View Depicts the Structural Damage to the Right Wing. (item 6, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20Pilot.%20View%20Depicts%20the%20Structural%20Damage%20to%20the%20Right%20Wing.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by The Pilot. View Depicts the Damage to the Right Horizontal Stabilizer. (item 7, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20The%20Pilot.%20View%20Depicts%20the%20Damage%20to%20the%20Right%20Horizontal%20Stabilizer.-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.