NYC03LA038

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150F · Crestline, OH · January 19, 2003

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
January 19, 2003, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
Place
Crestline, OH
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N8555GCessna 150F
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 28, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20030119028989A
Case key
56356

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to takeoff from unsuitable terrain. A factor related to the accident was the plowed, snow covered field.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

On ground/water collision with objectTakeoff - roll/run
Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - usedPilot in commandCause
Object - tree(s)
Terrain condition - plowed/furrowedFactor
Terrain condition - snow coveredFactor

Analysis

After a 2 hour flight the engine lost total power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a plowed snow covered farm field, about 9 miles east of the destination airport. The pilot proceeded by ground transportation to the airport, where he purchased fuel. Upon returning to the airplane, the pilot added the fuel to the left and right wing tanks, and a mechanic inspected the airplane. The pilot then elected to attempt a takeoff from the field. During the takeoff roll, the left wing struck a tree, and the takeoff was aborted. Review of a videotape, taken by an Ohio State Highway Patrol officer, the airplane was positioned on a snow-covered field with the engine running. The field also had high windrows and tall grass. Engine power was then applied, and the airplane began its takeoff roll. As the airplane proceeded away from the camera, it neared a tree line, and veered right. A large white cloud was then observed, and the airplane disappeared from the sight of the camera. The officer drove towards the white cloud, and observed the airplane at rest, with its occupants walking around the fuselage. Also noted on the video was a lone small tree growing in the field.

Factual narrative

On January 19, 2003, at 1700 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150F, N8555G, was substantially damaged while attempting to takeoff from a field near Crestline, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, the flight had departed from the Beach City Airport, Beach City, Ohio, about 1250, destined for the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport (MFD), Mansfield, Ohio. After a 2 hour flight, the engine lost total power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a plowed snow covered farm field, about 9 miles east of MFD. The pilot proceeded by ground transportation to MFD, where he purchased fuel. Upon returning to the airplane, the pilot added the fuel to the left and right wing tanks, and a mechanic inspected the airplane. The pilot then elected to attempt a takeoff from the field. During the takeoff roll, the left wing struck a tree, and the takeoff was aborted.

Review of a videotape, taken by an Ohio State Highway Patrol officer, the airplane was positioned on a snow-covered field with the engine running. The field also had high windrows and tall grass. Engine power was then applied, and the airplane began its takeoff roll. As the airplane proceeded away from the camera, it neared a tree line, and veered right. A large white cloud was then observed, and the airplane disappeared from the sight of the camera. The officer drove towards the white cloud, and observed the airplane at rest, with its occupants walking around the fuselage. Also noted on the video was a lone small tree growing in the field.

Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed substantial damage to the left wing.

Aircraft

Registration
N8555G
Reported as
Cessna 150F
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15062655
Airframe hours
2,819
Engine
Continental O-200A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Robert M. Walker
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · September 20, 2002 · 4 hours before
Departed
NONE · Crestline, OH
Destination
MFD · Mansfield, OH

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
41
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3
Last flight review
June 6, 2002
Seat
Left
Flight hours
98 total · 41 in this make and model · 56 as pilot in command · 5 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
210° at 18 knots, gusting 26
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
16 °F, dew point 3 °F
Altimeter
29.79 inHg
Observed at
MFD, 9 nm away

Docket · 4

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2004, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 533 KB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N8555G · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.