# NTSB FTW99LA214: Cessna 150J, N60784, Cypress, TX, August 8, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 1999, 09:53 local (14:53 UTC) - Place: Cypress, TX - Coordinates: 30.00002, -95.670127 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0000&lon=-95.6701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47744/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA214 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain/obtain airspeed during takeoff climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. ## 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 - short field takeoff/procedure - performed, pilot in command(cfi) - soft field takeoff/procedure - performed, pilot in command(cfi) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60784-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 15070577, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15070577 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990808011109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990808011109A), Aug 8, 1999: Cessna 150J, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Acft departed rwy heading south, unable to maintain air speed or altitude, landed on driveway, 2 minor injuries. (.4)the flight instructor was demonstrating 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.