Cessna 150 N11438 accident, Clarksville, MD, Feb 20, 1997 · NTSB NYC97LA056

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and failure to abort the takeoff.

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.

Loss of control - on ground/waterTakeoff - roll/run

Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Aborted takeoff - not performedPilot in commandCause

Ground loop/swerve - inadvertentPilot in command

On ground/water collision with objectTakeoff - roll/run

Object - tree(s)

Analysis

The aircraft veered off the runway during the takeoff roll and collided with trees. According to the pilot, 'we did a normal run up at the point half way up the hill on runway 13. Everything looked okay, controls worked okay, carburetor heat and magnetos checked okay. We taxied to the top of the hill and attempted to take off. Within seconds after we started to roll on runway 13, the airplane veered to the left. I applied full right rudder. The airplane straightened out but it had gone too far left. With the right pedal on the floor, the airplane had straightened out fairly close to a line of small pine trees on the left side of the runway. The airplane continued parallel to the trees for about 100 feet even though I continued full right rudder. Finally, the airplane turned left into the trees.' The pilot further stated that he 'should have pulled power immediately when [the] airplane went out of control.'

Factual narrative

On February 20, 1997, about 1645 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N11438, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during the takeoff roll at the Haysfield Airport, Clarksville, Maryland. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. There was no flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a statement submitted by the pilot, he stated:

"We did a normal run up at the point half way up the hill on runway 13. Everything looked okay, controls worked okay, carburetor heat and magnetos checked okay. We taxied to the top of the hill and attempted to take off. Within seconds after we started to roll on runway 13, the plane veered to the left. I applied full right rudder. The plane straightened out but it had gone too far left. With the right peddle on the floor, the plane had straightened out fairly close to a line of small pine trees on the left side of the runway. The plane continued parallel to the trees for about 100 feet even though I continued full right rudder. Finally, the plane turned left into the trees."

The pilot further stated that he "should have pulled power immediately when [the] plane went out of control."

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction with the airplane, nor did the pilot report any.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that the winds were from 310 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 16.

Aircraft

Registration: N11438
Reported as: Cessna 150
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 15075421
Airframe hours: 4,562
Engine: Continental O-200, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Registered owner: Tds Air Inc
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: 100 hour · November 22, 1996 · 78 hours before
Departed: MD24
Airport: MD24 · Haysfield, runway 13, 2,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

N11438Registration cancelled Jul 13, 2017 · Cessna 150LS/N 15075421 · Built 1973 Airframe modelCessna 150L Engine modelContinental 0-200 seriesReciprocating

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: 51
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat: Left
Flight hours: 217 total · 72 in this make and model · 175 as pilot in command · 2 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: Variable at 10 knots
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 68 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

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

Accident 19970220048079ACessna 150L · Clarksville, MD(-16) Pilot and passenger attempted takeoff on a grass runway with wind down the runway at 10-15 knots. (Aircraft at gross). Aircraft started to veer left, pilot continued takeoff roll with full right rudder to correct left turn on ground. Aircraft left wing…Feb 20, 1997 · N11438 · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N11438 · 1

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

NTSB NYC76DFA33Accident · No injuriesClosedScotia, NYApr 18, 1976 · Substantial damage