# NTSB FTW86FRG03: Cessna 150G, N4754X, Geronimo, TX, November 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1985, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Geronimo, TX
- Location: 29.6728° N, 97.9686° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Geronimo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6728&lon=-97.9686&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FRG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21960/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FRG03

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE ACFT FAILED TO ACHIEVE PROPER CLIMB TO CLEAR PWR LINES DURING TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB. THE TAKEOFF WAS PERFORMED ON A 700 FT LONG GRASS STRIP IN A DOWNWIND DIRECTION. WHEN IT BECAME QUESTIONABLE THAT THE ACFT COULD CLIMB OVER A PWR LINE THE PLT CUT THE POWER TO IDLE AND LANDED. THE ACFT STRUCK A DITCH AND WAS DAMAGED. THE TAKEOFF WAS TO THE NORTH AND THE WIND WAS FROM APRX 145 DEGREES AT ABOUT 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4754X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4754X-2012-08-23), registration cancelled 2012-08-23, S/N 15064804, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- 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: 15064804
- Airframe hours: 4771
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Francis M. Burroughs, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Airport: Haston Ranch, runway 36, 700 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 985 total, 140 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 35 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 19851110057739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851110057739A), Nov 10, 1985: Cessna 150G, Geronimo, TX, Substantial damage. (-4)The acft failed to achieve proper climb to clear pwr lines during takeoff initial climb. The takeoff was performed on a 700 ft long grass strip in a…

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.