# NTSB ERA13CA383: Cessna 150L, N1574Q, Chestertown, MD, August 27, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 27, 2013, 11:05 local (15:05 UTC)
- Place: Chestertown, MD
- Coordinates: 39.25, -76.205276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2500&lon=-76.2053&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA383
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87884/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87884
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA383

## Probable cause

The student pilot's improper control inputs which resulted in a loss of control and aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During takeoff on an instructional flight from a 2,200 foot long by 80 foot wide private grass runway, a loss of control occurred and the airplane struck the ground and nosed over. Neither the student pilot or flight instructor was injured. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it had been substantially damaged. According to the flight instructor, the airplane had 10 degrees of flaps extended for takeoff. After the student rotated the airplane for takeoff, the student pilot used right aileron instead of right rudder. The airplane began to slip to the right, the right wing "dropped"; the airplane then "pitched up", and entered an aerodynamic stall. The airplane then pitched nose down. The flight instructor tried to correct using left aileron, rudder and elevator. The airplane struck the ground with the left wingtip and nose, and then nosed over about 60 yards off the departure end of the grass runway. At the time of the accident, the prevailing wind in the area was in the process of shifting from a crosswind to a right quartering tailwind. The instructor advised the NTSB that he "should have taken control sooner."

## Factual narrative

During takeoff on an instructional flight from a 2,200 foot long by 80 foot wide private grass runway, a loss of control occurred and the airplane struck the ground and nosed over. Neither the student pilot or flight instructor was injured. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it had been substantially damaged. According to the flight instructor, the airplane had 10 degrees of flaps extended for takeoff. After the student rotated the airplane for takeoff, the student pilot used right aileron instead of right rudder. The airplane began to slip to the right, the right wing "dropped"; the airplane then" pitched up", and entered an aerodynamic stall. The airplane then pitched nose down. The flight instructor tried to correct using left aileron, rudder and elevator. The airplane struck the ground with the left wingtip and nose, and then nosed over about 60 yards off the departure end of the grass runway. At the time of the accident the prevailing winds in the area were in the process of shifting from a crosswind to a right quartering tailwind. The instructor advised the NTSB that he "should have taken control sooner".

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1574Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1574Q-2014-09-30), registration cancelled 2014-09-30, S/N 15072874, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072874
- Year built: 1971
- Airframe hours: 3641
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 2013
- Departed: 05MD, Chestertown, MD
- Destination: 05MD, Chestertown, MD
- Airport: 05MD, Breezecroft Airport, runway 18, 2,700 × 80 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,000 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days
- Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KMTN, 11 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 20130827016829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130827016829A), Aug 27, 2013: Cessna 150L, Chestertown, MD, Substantial damage. Student pilot, [privacy data omitted], was taking-off/climbing out when the instructor, [privacy data omitted], mentioned that the aircraft was drifting right.…

## Docket (10 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87884. 13.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statements and Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 233 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF
- Satellite Image of Breezecroft Airport (item 3, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Satellite%20Image%20of%20Breezecroft%20Airport-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 877 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402619&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: End of Runway - Courtesy of FAA (item 5, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20End%20of%20Runway%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Main Wreckage - Courtesy of FAA (item 6, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402520&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Main%20Wreckage%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: Nose Damage - Courtesy of FAA (item 7, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Nose%20Damage%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 4: Firewall Damage - Courtesy of FAA (item 8, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Firewall%20Damage%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 5: Damage to Right Wing - Courtesy of FAA (item 9, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%3A%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 6: Damage to Left Wing - Courtesy of FAA (item 10, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402525&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%3A%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing%20-%20Courtesy%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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