# NTSB FTW01LA146: Cessna 150, N2898S, Denham Springs, LA, June 18, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 2001, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Denham Springs, LA - Coordinates: 30.610675, -90.910079 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6107&lon=-90.9101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52521 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52521/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA146 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and decision making, which resulted in the airplane's performance being exceeded during the takeoff initial climb. A contributing factor was the rising terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane departed the grass runway toward the east. At the departure end of the 3,100-foot long grass runway were trees and a residential area. A witness, who was located on the airport, stated that the airplane used at least 1,500 feet of the runway without the nose wheel coming off the ground. The witness mentioned that he thought the airplane would hit the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot stated that after takeoff, the airplane was unable to clear the trees. A witness, who was driving on a road near the residential area, observed the airplane impact the trees with the left wing and subsequently impact the road. The owner of the airport reported to the FAA inspector that he told the pilot not to takeoff to the east because the runway sloped up in that direction, there were trees located on the departure end, and there was a residential area that he did not want to disturb. The pilot elected to takeoff to the east because of the winds, which he reported to be from 060 degrees at 8-10 knots. The pilot also stated that he may have been "slightly over maximum gross weight during the takeoff." ## Factual narrative On June 18, 2001, at 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 150 single-engine airplane, N2898S, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during takeoff/initial climb from a private grass airstrip near Denham Springs, Louisiana. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane, and his passenger, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Carthage, Mississippi. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he departed the grass runway toward the east. At the departure end of the 3,100-foot runway were trees and a residential area. The pilot stated that after takeoff, the airplane was unable to clear the trees. A witness, who was located on the airport, stated that the airplane used at least 1,500 feet of the runway without the nose wheel coming off the ground. The witness mentioned that he thought the airplane would hit the trees at the end of the runway. Another witness, who was driving on a road near the residential area, observed the airplane impact the trees with the left wing and subsequently impact the road. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, found the flaps in the fully extended position. When questioned by the FAA inspector, the pilot stated that he did not recall taking off with the flaps extended, but thought that his passenger may have bumped the flap handle during the impact sequence or when they exited the airplane. The owner of the airport reported to the FAA inspector that he told the pilot not to takeoff to the east because the runway sloped up in that direction, there were trees located on the departure end, and there was a residential area that he did not want to disturb. The pilot elected to takeoff to the east because of the winds, which he reported to be from 060 degrees at 8-10 knots. The pilot also stated that he may have been "slightly over maximum gross weight during the takeoff." Review of photographs taken by the FAA inspector revealed that the airplane's empennage was buckled and partially separated, the left and right wings sustained leading edge impact damage, and the propeller and cowling were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2898S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2898S-2002-03-04), registration cancelled 2002-03-04, S/N 15066798, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15066798 - Airframe hours: 3943.4 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. McMichaels - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2001, 4 hours before - Departed: NONE, Denham Springs, TX - Destination: 34F, Philadelphia, MS - Airport: LS39, County Bend, runway 8, 3,100 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 13, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 490 total, 425 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 194 °F ## 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 20010618016759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010618016759A), Jun 18, 2001: Cessna 150G, Watson, LA, No damage. (-23) Aircraft departed Country Bend air strip (LA39) east bound and impacted trees approximately 1000 ft. from runway end. 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.