# NTSB NYC89LA077: Cessna 150, N8806S, Craley, PA, January 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1989, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Craley, PA
- Coordinates: 39.890968, -76.639335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8910&lon=-76.6393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36373/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA077

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF DUE TO A PILOT INDUCED STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WRONG RUNWAY SELECTED BY THE PILOT WHICH PUT THE AIRCRAFT IN A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF SITUATION AND THE PILOTS MISJUDGEMENT OF THE DISTANCE IT WOULD TAKE THE AIRCRAFT TO CLEAR TREES LOCATED OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE LANDED AT A FRIEND'S FARM WHICH HAD A SMALL RUNWAY AND AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES HE DEPARTED. HE SAID HE LANDED TO THE WEST AND TOOK OFF TO THE EAST. DURING THE TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. THE PILOT THOUGHT THAT HE STALLED THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8806S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8806S-1991-04-23), registration cancelled 1991-04-23, S/N 15062106 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150) (registry code 2071802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15062106
- Airframe hours: 3284
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David W. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1988
- Departed: WINTERSTOWN, PA
- Airport: Private, runway 9

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 316 total, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 285° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890129001599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890129001599A), Jan 29, 1989: Cessna 150, Craley, PA, Substantial damage. Failed to clear trees at end of a short Private strip after takeoff. Aircraft stalled into the trees.

## Other investigations on N8806S (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 NYC67D0005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0005), Jun 8, 1966: Cessna 150 (N8806S), Neffsville, PA, 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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