# NTSB FTW87LA150: Cessna 150J, N51267, Chelsea, OK, June 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1987, 14:17 local (19:17 UTC)
- Place: Chelsea, OK
- Coordinates: 36.529716, -95.429611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5297&lon=-95.4296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22386
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22386/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA150

## 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
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-RATED PLT ATTEMPTED A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF FROM A 1450' PVT GRASS STRIP. THE STRIP WAS SOFT FROM RECENT RAIN & CONTAINED GRASS & WEEDS WHICH WERE 6 TO 7 INCHES HI. AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB FAST ENOUGH TO CLEAR OBSTACLES. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH A TREE & POWER LINES. THE PLT HAD ACQUIRED A STUDENT CERTIFICATE ON 12/29/72, WHICH HAD NEVER BEEN ENDORSED FOR SOLO FLT. HIS FLT TIME WAS NOT RPRTD. APRX 5 YRS HAD ELAPSED SINCE THE ACFT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPN. REGULAR (AUTO) FUEL WAS BEING USED IN THE ACFT W/O AN STC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51267](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51267-1996-04-17), registration cancelled 1996-04-17, S/N 15069882 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069882
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald L.Kitchen
- Registered owner: Donald L Kitchen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Pvt Strip, runway 17, 1,450 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 30 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 19870621020919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870621020919A), Jun 21, 1987: Cessna 150J, Chelsea, OK, Substantial damage. Attempted down wind takeoff on a short weed grown strip. Hit trees on lift off. No license or aircraft annual.

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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