FTW99LA214

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150J · Cypress, TX · August 8, 1999

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 8, 1999, 09:53 local (14:53 UTC)
Place
Cypress, TX
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N60784Cessna 150J
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 5, 2000
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19990808011109A
Case key
47744

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain/obtain airspeed during takeoff climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush.

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.

Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - initial climb
Short field takeoff/procedure - performedPilot in command(cfi)
Soft field takeoff/procedure - performedPilot in command(cfi)
Airspeed - not obtained/maintainedPilot in command(cfi)Cause
Stall/mush - inadvertentPilot in command(cfi)
In flight collision with terrain/waterEmergency descent/landing
Terrain condition - ditch

Analysis

The flight instructor was demonstrating a 'soft and short field takeoff' on a 2,000-foot grass strip. The airplane 'climbed very slowly' out of ground effect. In order to avoid trees and power lines at the end of the runway, the instructor pulled back on the control yoke to gain altitude. The airplane 'just barely cleared the obstacles, buffeted, and went into a incipient spin.' The flight instructor 'quickly recovered', but the airplane lost altitude. With more obstacles in the flight path, the flight instructor elected to execute an emergency landing in the front yard of a private residence. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear, struck a ditch, and came to rest inverted in a driveway.

Factual narrative

On August 8, 1999, at 0953 central daylight time, a Cessna 150J airplane, N60784, registered to a private individual and operated by MVP Aero Academy of Houston, Texas, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain after takeoff from the Weiser Air Park Airport near Cypress, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local instructional flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

On the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the flight instructor stated that he was demonstrating a "soft and short field takeoff" on a 2,000-foot grass strip. The instructor reported that the airplane "climbed very slowly" out of ground effect. In order to avoid trees and power lines at the end of the runway, the instructor pulled back on the control yoke to gain altitude. The airplane "just barely cleared the obstacles, buffeted, and went into a incipient spin." The flight instructor "quickly recovered", but the airplane lost altitude. With more obstacles in the flight path, the flight instructor elected to execute an emergency landing in the front yard of a private residence. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear, struck a ditch, and came to rest inverted in a driveway.

At 0953, David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (located 10 nautical miles northeast of the accident site) reported the sky clear, visibility 8 statute miles, wind variable at 4 knots, temperature 86 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 77 degrees Fahrenheit, altimeter 30.02 inches of mercury, and density altitude 1,832 feet.

Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that both wings were twisted and wrinkled, and the aileron was separated from the right wing. The fuselage was twisted and buckled. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were damaged, and the nose landing gear and right main landing gear were separated from the aircraft. The engine mount was fractured and the firewall was crushed aft.

Aircraft

Registration
N60784
Reported as
Cessna 150J
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15070577
Engine
Continental O-200, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Operator
Mvp Aero Academy
Registered owner
Kevin Lyons
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
EYQ · Cypress, TX
Airport
EYQ · Weiser Air Park, runway 16, 2,000 × 33 ft, grass/turf

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
37
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Right
Flight hours
740 total · 139 in this make and model · 656 as pilot in command · 284 in the last 90 days · 72 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Variable at 4 knots
Visibility
8 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
86 °F, dew point 77 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
DWH, 10 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.