# NTSB NYC88FA005: Cessna 150H, N50342, Gardner, MA, October 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1987, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Gardner, MA
- Location: 42.5842° N, 71.9887° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gardner, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5842&lon=-71.9887&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE EXECUTING TOUGH-AND-GO LANDINGS, THE PILOT NEGLECTED TO PARTIALLY RAISE THE WING FLAPS, AS RECOMMENDED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, BEFORE LIFTING OFF. THEREAFTER, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN A SAFE AIRSPEED FOR THE LANDING CONFIGURATION AND INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT. FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF CONTROL, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50342](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50342-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 15069239, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068239
- Airframe hours: 3692
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry L. Hathaway
- Registered owner: Henry L Hathaway
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1987, 12 hours before
- Airport: GDM, Gardner Munic., runway 36, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 98 total, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORH, 19 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 19871012059199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871012059199A), Oct 12, 1987: Cessna 150H, Gardner, MA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled on touch and go takeoff. Impacted the ground in a near 90 degree dive. Had full flaps. Came to rest inverted

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.
