# NTSB FTW74AF031: Cessna 150D, N4113U, Melville, LA, November 17, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 17, 1973
- Place: Melville, LA · MELVILLE, LA
- Location: 30.6920° N, 91.7505° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Melville, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6920&lon=-91.7505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74AF031
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF031

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3104  73/11/17   MELVILLE,LA         CESSNA 150D         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 38, 71 TOTAL
        TIME - 0120                    N4113U              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HANKS STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MELVILLE,LA                 LAKE CHARLES,LA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        REMARKS- BECAME AIRBORNE,VEERED L OF STRIP.UN CLEAR TREES NEXT TO RWY.STRIP LTD ON 1 SIDE OF RWY ONLY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4113U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4113U-1974-01-08), registration cancelled 1974-01-08, S/N 15060113 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Hanks Strip

## 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 19731117036679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731117036679A), Nov 17, 1973: Cessna 150D, Melville, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Became airborne,veered l of strip. Un clear trees next to rwy. Strip ltd on 1 side of rwy only.

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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