# NTSB GAA15CA220: Cessna 150M, N704SB, Apopka, FL, July 23, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2015, 19:25 local (23:25 UTC) - Place: Apopka, FL - Coordinates: 28.707221, -81.581665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7072&lon=-81.5817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91749/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91749 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA220 ## Probable cause Following a bird strike during takeoff, the pilot's decision to land without sufficient runway remaining to safely stop the airplane, which resulted in an over-run, collision with terrain, and nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff following a touch-and-go landing, a flight of birds flew in front of the airplane and caused a bird strike on the right side of the airplane. The pilot aborted the takeoff, landed on the runway, and was unable to stop as he reported there was "no runway distance for safe landing." The airplane departed the end of the runway, impacted terrain, and nosed over. The airplane sustained minor damage from the bird strike, and substantial damage to the fuselage and to the empennage during the accident. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During the takeoff following a touch-and-go landing, a flight of birds flew in front of the airplane and caused a bird strike on the ride side of the airplane. The pilot aborted the takeoff, landed on the runway, and was unable to stop as he reported there was "no runway distance for safe landing." The airplane departed the end of the runway, impacted terrain, and nosed over. The airplane sustained minor damage from the bird strike, and substantial damage to the fuselage and to the empennage during the accident. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N704SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704SB-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 15078828, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078828 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 4750 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Heartland Fliers, LLC - Registered owner: Shane Fisher - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 2015 - Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL - Destination: ORL, ORLANDO, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: X04, Orlando Apopka, runway 33, 3,987 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2015; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 6,200 total, 1,150 in this make and model, 5,600 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KLEE, 14 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 20150723014849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150723014849A), Jul 23, 2015: Cessna 150M, Apopka, FL, Substantial damage. PIC stated he departed Orlando executive airport (korl) in Cessna N704SB, a CE-150M, on Thursday 07/23/2015, at 19:30LT. After flying over lake Apopka he… ## Other investigations on N704SB (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW88LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA157), Aug 29, 1988: Cessna 150M (N704SB), Killeen, TX, destroyed ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91749. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of fuselage and empennage (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20fuselage%20and%20empennage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.