# NTSB NYC03LA038: Cessna 150F, N8555G, Crestline, OH, January 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 19, 2003, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Crestline, OH - Coordinates: 40.778331, -82.6875 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7783&lon=-82.6875&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 56356 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56356/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56356 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA038 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - used, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8555G-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 15062655, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15062655 - Airframe hours: 2819 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; 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 ## 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 20030119028989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030119028989A), Jan 19, 2003: Cessna 150F, Ashland, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) While flying from beach city airport to mansfield lahm airport, teh airplane experienced a loss of power due to fuel starvation. The plane landed safely… ## Other investigations on N8555G (1) 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 IAD79FKW06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FKW06), Feb 20, 1979: Cessna 150F (N8555G), Bristol, TN, substantial damage, 2 fatal ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56356. 533 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from State Agencies (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20State%20Agencies-Redacted.PDF - Photo of departure field. Note uneven snow covered plowed field. (item 3, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40205965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20departure%20field.%20%20Note%20uneven%20snow%20covered%20plowed%20field.-Master.PDF - Photo of final resting place of airplane. Note tree line and stand alone tree. (item 4, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40205966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20final%20resting%20place%20of%20airplane.%20%20Note%20tree%20line%20and%20stand%20alone%20tree.-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.