# NTSB IAD97LA111: Cessna 150L, N16040, Westfield, MA, August 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1997, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Westfield, MA - Location: 42.1251° N, 72.7495° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Westfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1251&lon=-72.7495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28226 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28226/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation which fail to include a weight and balance check and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot departed with a passenger and full fuel. A witness observed the accident airplane takeoff and rotate to a 'very high pitch attitude.' The airplane's pitch lowered a little, followed by the left wing, and then the airplane descended and landed nose first in a cornfield next to the runway. The pilot stated that he had not completed weight and balance computations. Weight and balance calculations indicated that the airplane had been loaded above its maximum gross weight limit of 1,600 pounds by 156 pounds. Examination of the wreckage did not disclose any evidence of mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1997, at 1305 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N16040, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain after takeoff from the Barnes Municipal Airport, Westfield, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot and passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he completed a "normal preflight" in preparation to take passengers for orientation flights. He completed a "normal run-up," and during the initial climb the airspeed decreased. He lowered the nose of the airplane and the right wing dropped. The airplane then descended into a cornfield east of the runway. According to the pilot, when he picked up one of the passengers, "...I observed passenger's weight at approximately 200 pounds...Flying at 60-70 knots climb speed, observed immediate rapid decrease in airspeed to 50 knots. Lowered nose, then airspeed increased to 60-70 knots...Experienced loss of lift in the wings with right wing dipping slightly... ." A witness in another airplane waiting to takeoff behind the accident airplane, said that when the accident airplane lifted off the runway, it had a very high pitch attitude. The pitch lowered a little and the left wing lowered. The airplane then descended and landed nose first in the cornfield that was next to the runway, in the opposite direction of takeoff. The pilot was interviewed at the hospital by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector. The FAA Inspector said the pilot reported that the airplane had full fuel, and that he had not completed a weight and balance for the flight. He departed runway 20 from Alpha intersection. FAA calculations of the weight and balance indicated that the airplane had been loaded above its maximum gross weight limit of 1,600 pounds by 156 pounds. The pilot had over 255 hours of total flight experience, which included 30 hours in make and model. Examination of the wreckage did not disclose any evidence of mechanical malfunction with the airplane or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16040](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16040-2002-05-30), registration cancelled 2002-05-30, S/N 15073433, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15073433 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charis Air Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BAF - Airport: BAF, Barnes Muni, runway 20, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 255 total, 30 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BAF ## 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 19970816022529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970816022529A), Aug 16, 1997: Cessna 150L, Westfield, MA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed immediately after takeoff into a corn field at end of runway. (.4)the pilot departed with a passenger and full fuel. A witness observed the… 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.