- Date
- July 27, 1995, 22:00 local (Jul 28, 1995, 03:00 UTC)
- Place
- Muskogee, OK
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N22637Cessna 150H
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report February 27, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950727019709A
- Case key
- 19515
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's evasive manuever to take off with insufficient runway available for attaining takeoff airspeed. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the unauthorized use of the airplane, the pilot's anxiety, and the dark night.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
A student pilot took a passenger for a one-hour unauthorized low level flight in the vicinity to their home town. Witnesses reported observing the aircraft ' buzzing Muskogee at tree top level for over 30 minutes.' Law enforcement personnel were alerted. Upon return to the airport the pilot elected to evade law enforcement officers by initiating a takeoff near the departure end of runway 35. The airplane was observed in a nose high attitude and subsequently stalling while attempting to become airborne prior to the airport perimeter fence on the north end of the airport.
Factual narrative
On July 27, 1995, at 2200 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N22637, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Muskogee, Oklahoma. The student pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight for which a flight plan was not filed.
Witnesses reported observing the aircraft "buzzing Muskogee at tree top level for over 30 minutes." According to the owner/operator, the student pilot was "not authorized to use the aircraft" and the local authorities were alerted. Once the pilot returned to the Hatbox Field, in Muscogee, Oklahoma, for landing, he was approached by police officers.
The student pilot elected to evade the law enforcement officers and initiated a takeoff roll from its position near the departure end of runway 35. The airplane was observed in "a pronounced nose high attitude, and subsequently stalling" while attempting to become airborne prior to the airport perimeter fence on the north end of the airport. The airplane came to rest on its nose.
The student pilot and his female passenger were taken under custody and taken to the local hospital for treatment. Post accident examination of the aircraft revealed structural damage to the wings and fuselage.
Repeated attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Report from the operator were unsuccessful.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N22637
- Reported as
- Cessna 150H
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15068418
- Engine
- Continental O-200, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- Billy C. Richardson
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- HAX
- Airport
- HAX · Hatbox Field, runway 35, 2,800 × 50 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 40
- Certificate
- Student
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 30 total · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- TUL, 37 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.