# NTSB ERA15CA209: Cessna 150D, N5981T, Balsam Grove, NC, May 8, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 8, 2015, 16:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Balsam Grove, NC - Coordinates: 35.225276, -82.864166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2253&lon=-82.8642&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91156 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91156/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91156 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA209 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to attempt an off airport takeoff, and failure to maintain adequate clearance during the initial climb in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## 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 150D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 150D, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot\owner of the airplane reported that he experienced a total loss of engine power and performed an uneventful forced landing to a road. The reason for the engine failure was later attributed to a blocked fuel vent tube. After landing, the pilot added additional fuel to the airplane, conducted a normal engine run-up, and noted about 1,500 feet of straight roadway available to takeoff from. He elected to depart from the road to the west, which was toward a valley. During the initial climb, the airplane encountered a sudden crosswind, and struck tree branches, which resulted in substantial damage to the left outboard wing and right inboard horizontal stabilizer. The pilot was able to continue the flight and landed at his destination without further incident. He also reported that he did not experience any malfunctions or failures during the accident takeoff that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The airplane had been operated for about 17 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 7 months prior. Winds reported at an airport that was located about 20 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 140 degrees at 7 knots. . ## Factual narrative The pilot\owner of the airplane reported that he experienced a total loss of engine power and performed an uneventful forced landing to a road. The reason for the engine failure was later attributed to a blocked fuel vent tube. After landing, the pilot added additional fuel to the airplane, conducted a normal engine run-up, and noted about 1,500 feet of straight roadway available to takeoff from. He elected to depart from the road to the west, which was toward a valley. During the initial climb, the airplane encountered a sudden crosswind, and struck tree branches, which resulted in substantial damage to the left outboard wing and right inboard horizontal stabilizer. The pilot was able to continue the flight and landed at his destination without further incident. He also reported that he did not experience any malfunctions or failures during the accident takeoff that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The airplane had been operated for about 17 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 7 months prior. Winds reported at an airport that was located about 20 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 140 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5981T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5981T), registered now, S/N 15060681 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D - Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15060681 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 4855 - Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 2014, 17 hours before - Departed: NONE, Hendersonville, NC - Destination: FGU, COLLEGEDALE, TN - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 5, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 342 total, 95 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Icing: Unknown - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: AVL, 20 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 20150508007279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150508007279A), May 8, 2015: Cessna 150D, Balsam Grove, NC, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted]Operator had to put aircraft down in field after engine quit inflight. Aircraft landed without incident, pilot found left tank empty but… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91156. 7.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Observations (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Left Wing Damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Right Horizontal Stabilizer Damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Horizontal%20Stabilizer%20Damage%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. --- 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.