# NTSB GAA17CA326: Cessna 150, N6511S, Newburyport, MA, June 4, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2017, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Newburyport, MA - Coordinates: 42.795276, -70.839447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7953&lon=-70.8394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA326 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95316/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95316 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA326 ## Probable cause The student pilot's decision to attempt to close the cockpit window during takeoff and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the pilot's side window blew open as full power was applied. He added that he "reached over with [his] right hand to close [the] window," but as he did so, the airplane veered off the runway to the left into a wooded area and impacted terrain. The student pilot reported that he had noticed on previous flights that the window latch was loose and that he had planned to get it fixed but had not done so. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll the pilot's side window blew open as full power was applied. He added that he "reached over with [his] right hand to close [the] window," but as he did so, the airplane veered off the runway to the left into a wooded area and impacted terrain. The student pilot reported that he had noticed on previous flights that the window latch was loose, and he had planned to get it fixed, but had not done so. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6511S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6511S), registered now, S/N 15067311 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15067311 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 5498.4 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2016 - Departed: 2B2, Newburyport, MA - Destination: 2B2, Newburyport, MA - Airport: 2B2, Plum Island, runway 28, 2,105 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 56; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 5.5 in the last 90 days, 2.9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KBVY, 13 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 20170604009219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170604009219A), Jun 4, 2017: Cessna 150H, Newburyport, MA, Substantial damage. Student pilot was attempting to takeoff on runway 28 and as he started takeoff roll the window opened up and he was distracted. He tried closing the window… ## Other investigations on N6511S (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 MIA78FLD35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FLD35), Apr 15, 1978: Cessna 150H (N6511S), Brooksville, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95316. 976 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454883&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Student Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454884&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Student%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454885&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.