# NTSB GAA17CA546: Cessna 150, N6250T, Siler City, NC, September 20, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 20, 2017, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Siler City, NC - Coordinates: 35.704166, -79.504165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7042&lon=-79.5042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA546 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96054/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96054 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA546 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to take off with known electrical issues, which distracted him and led to a loss of directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/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 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during a time-building, cross-country flight, the airplane had multiple mechanical malfunctions. On the fourth leg of the flight, he departed the airport and noticed that the airplane was low on fuel. He flew to a nearby airport, landed, and added 10 gallons of fuel. After fueling, the airplane would not start, and the pilot asked maintenance personnel to jump the airplane's battery. Then, during taxi to the runway, he noticed that the "radios and other electronics" were inoperative, but he continued to the runway. During the takeoff roll, he was startled by a loud noise in his headset, which he believed came from the airplane's communication radio. He attempted to assess the problem during the takeoff roll, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway into the safety area. After regaining control, he taxied back to the approach end of the runway. He performed a flight control check and an engine power check and departed the airport. The pilot reported that he then landed at a nontowered airport "to check out the aircraft." He performed another flight control check and an engine run-up but did not exit the airplane "because of the starting issue." The pilot then departed for the destination airport. He reported that he landed the airplane and taxied to parking. He recalled that he performed a postflight check of the airplane, but "other than grass and grass stains [he] did not see any damage." Later that evening, the airplane's owner informed the pilot that the left wing was damaged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar and aileron. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during a time building cross-country flight, the airplane had multiple mechanical malfunctions. On the fourth leg of the flight, he departed the airport and noticed that the airplane was low on fuel. He flew to a nearby airport, landed, and added 10 gallons of fuel. After fueling, the airplane would not start, and he asked a maintenance shop to jump the airplane's battery. Then, during taxi to the runway, he noticed that the "radios and other electronics" were inoperative, but he continued to the runway. During the takeoff roll, he was startled by a loud noise in his headset, which he believed came from the airplane's communication radio. He attempted to assess the problem during the takeoff roll and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway into the safety area. After regaining control, he taxied back to the approach end of the runway. He performed a flight control check and an engine power check and departed the airport. The pilot reported that he then landed at a non-towered airport "to check out the aircraft". He performed another flight control check and an engine run-up but did not exit the airplane "because of the starting issue." The pilot then departed for the destination airport. He reported that he landed the airplane and taxied to parking. He recalled that he performed a post-flight check of the airplane, but "other than grass and grass stains [he] did not see any damage". Later that evening, the owner of the airplane informed the pilot that the left wing was damaged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar and aileron. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6250T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6250T), registered now, S/N 15060950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (E) - Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15060950 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 6162 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 2017 - Departed: EXX, Lexington, NC - Destination: EXX, Lexington, NC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SCR, Siler City Muni, runway 04, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 27, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 147 total, 7 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KHBI, 19 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 20170920020849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170920020849A), Sep 20, 2017: Cessna 150E, Siler City, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft had intermittent generator on a time-building cross-country flight in VMC conditions. Generator and battery eventually died and pilot was unable to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96054. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461333&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%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.