# NTSB NYC03LA122: Cessna 150, N92WA, Culpeper, VA, June 8, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 2003, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Culpeper, VA
- Coordinates: 38.526668, -77.858612
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5267&lon=-77.8586&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA122

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on the runway during takeoff.

## 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 obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

During the takeoff roll, the student pilot "lost control" of the airplane, and could not maintain centerline alignment.  The airplane ran off the side of the runway, and came to rest in a ditch.  The student pilot reported there were no wind gusts, and he experienced no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On June 8, 2003, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N92WA, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR), Culpeper, Virginia.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local solo instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The student pilot initiated a takeoff from runway 04, a 4,002 foot-long, and 75 foot-wide runway.  The student pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, he "lost control" of the airplane, and could not maintain centerline alignment.  The airplane ran off the side of the runway, and came to rest in a ditch.  The student pilot reported there were no wind gusts, and he experienced no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing spar.  No pre-impact mechanical anomalies were observed.

The winds reported at an airport about 20 miles to the northeast, at 0810, were from 020 degrees at 3 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92WA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92WA-2005-04-14), registration cancelled 2005-04-14, S/N 15073770, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150
- 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: 15073770
- Airframe hours: 6034
- Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ted Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 2003, 1 hours before
- Departed: CJR, Culpeper, VA
- Destination: CJR
- Airport: CJR, Culpeper Regional Airport, runway 04, 4,002 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 48; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 26 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: HEF, 20 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 20030608017739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030608017739A), Jun 8, 2003: Cessna 150L, Culpeper, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot had only flown one hour with an instructor since August of 2002. Instructor said student did a fine job of flying for his pre-solo check.…

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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