# NTSB MIA97LA167: Cessna 150K, N5689G, Ball Ground, GA, May 16, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1997, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Ball Ground, GA
- Coordinates: 34.32973, -84.369552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3297&lon=-84.3696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA167

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll and his failure to abort the takeoff before colliding with an embankment.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

After applying power to takeoff, the airplane began drifting to the left, which increased as the airspeed increased. The pilot applied right rudder, but the airplane continued to the left. With an embankment ahead, the pilot attempted to takeoff, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and collided with the embankment. The airplane operator stated that there was no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the airplane or its systems.

## Factual narrative

On May 16, 1997, about 1945 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150K, N5689G, registered to El Gavilan De Plata, Inc., operated by Firefox Aviation, Inc., experienced a loss of control during the takeoff roll at the Cherokee County Airport, Ball Ground, Georgia.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he taxied onto the runway and straightened the nose wheel before applying power to takeoff.  After applying power the airplane began drifting to the left which increased as the airspeed increased though he was applying right rudder control.  He then elected to attempt to takeoff due to an embankment next to the runway but the airplane collided with the embankment.  According to the operator of the airplane, there was no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the airplane or its systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5689G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5689G-2000-01-29), registration cancelled 2000-01-29, S/N 15071189 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071189
- Airframe hours: 6977
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Firefox Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: El Gavilan De Plata, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 13, 1997, 48 hours before
- Departed: 47A
- Airport: 47A, Cherokee County, runway 22, 3,414 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGE, 24 nm away

## Other investigations on N5689G (2)

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 DEN78FQA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78FQA12), Mar 17, 1978: Cessna 150 (N5689G), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW75DQD18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75DQD18), Mar 19, 1975: Cessna 150 (N5689G), Alpine, TX, substantial damage

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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