FTW99LA039

The private pilot, who was receiving dual proficiency training, initiated the short field takeoff from the grass airstrip adjoining the Mississippi River. Then the flight instructor manipulated the flight controls and maneuvered the airplane for the departure climb. Once the airplane had passed over the north end of the runway, the instructor initiated a climbing right turn for a flight path approaching the tree line along the river. The private pilot recalled that the airplane 'stopped flying, started sinking, and suddenly rolled left into a steep spiral.' The flight instructor stated that the airplane 'suddenly rolled violently to the left into a spin.' The flight instructor performed the spin recovery procedure, and after slightly more than one complete revolution, the airplane was recovered on a westerly heading in a 'flattened attitude.' The airplane was too low and the tail struck the top of a levee. The flight instructor reported that turbulence was often encountered crossing the river and the adjacent tree line. He reported the winds were variable from the east at 8 knots.

On November 28, 1998, at 1115 central standard time, a Cessna 150H airplane, N567G, was substantially damaged following an in flight collision with terrain during initial takeoff climb from the Braithwaite Park Airport, near Braithwaite, Louisiana. The flight instructor and the private pilot receiving instruction sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was originating at the time of the accident.

During interviews, conducted by local authorities, the FAA inspector, and the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilots reported the following information. The private pilot rented the airplane from the aircraft owner. The private pilot was receiving dual instruction for proficiency training in the airplane. A flight was planned to the Lakefront Airport, near New Orleans, Louisiana, to practice takeoff and landings in the traffic pattern. The Braithwaite Park Airport is a grass airstrip adjoining the Mississippi River and departures from the airport were planned where the flight would be at altitude before crossing the river and the adjacent tree line. The winds were variable from the east at 8 knots. The preflight, taxi, and takeoff on the south runway were performed by the private pilot. Once the airplane was airborne and climbing, the flight instructor manipulated the flight controls and maneuvered the airplane for a north bound departure. The airplane crossed over the north end of the runway, and the instructor initiated a climbing right turn (15 degree bank, 60 knots airspeed) for a flight path approaching the tree line along the river.

The private pilot recalled that the airplane was between "250 and 300 feet msl when the airplane stopped flying, started sinking, and suddenly rolled left into a steep spiral." The flight instructor stated that "turbulence" are often encountered in the same vicinity while crossing the tree line and the river. On this flight, the airplane was between "400 and 450 feet msl when the airplane suddenly rolled violently to the left into a spin." The flight instructor added that he performed the spin recovery procedure and retarded the throttle. After slightly more than one complete revolution, the airplane recovered on a westerly heading in a "flattened attitude." The flight instructor added power; however, the airplane was too low and the tail struck the top of a levee. Following the collision, flight control input to the rudder and elevators was lost; however, aileron control was maintained. The airplane impacted the ground.

The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, found the wreckage distribution path on a measured magnetic heading of 230 degrees from the impact point (50 feet agl) at the levee to the main wreckage. The airplane came to rest on a nose low attitude on a measured magnetic heading of 180 degrees, approximately 40 feet beyond the levee. The empennage, wings, and engine mount sustained structural damage. The left main gear separated from the airframe.