# NTSB MIA01LA209: Cessna 152, N96064, Statesville, NC, August 4, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 2001, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Statesville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.763053, -80.955276
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7631&lon=-80.9553&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 23, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA209

## Probable cause

The pilot's attempted takeoff with a tail wind and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff resulting in the airplane veering to the left and colliding with trees.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was performing a soft field takeoff to the north at Allison Woods Airstrip. The instruments showed everything was in order. At a speed of about 55 knots, the airplane veered to the left. The left wingtip hit the trees and the airplane spun around and came to rest in the trees. The winds at the Statesville Airport, located 5 miles southwest of the accident site, about 12 minutes after the accident, were from 180 degrees at 6 knots.

## Factual narrative

On August 4, 2001, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N96064, registered to Statesville Flying Service, collided with trees during takeoff from a private strip near Statesville, North Carolina, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Statesville, North Carolina, the same day, about 1500.

The pilot stated he was performing a soft-field takeoff to the north at Allison Woods Airstrip. The instruments showed everything was in order. At a speed of about 55 knots, the airplane veered to the left. He had no control. He thinks the wind caught the airplane from the right. The left wingtip hit the trees and the airplane spun around and came to rest in the trees.

The winds at the Statesville Airport, located 5 miles southwest of the accident site, about 12 minutes after the accident, were from 180 degrees at 6 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96064](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96064-2004-03-16), registration cancelled 2004-03-16, S/N 15286003, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15286003
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis E. Tomlin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: SVH, Statesville, NC
- Airport: Allison Woods, runway 36, 3,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 2, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 112 total, 107 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: SVH, 5 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 20010804037449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010804037449A), Aug 4, 2001: Cessna 152, Statesville, NC, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated he was attempting a soft field takeoff at allison woods, a grass strip near Statesville, NC. Aircraft departed the prepared portion of 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.

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