# NTSB SEA03LA091: Cessna 150, N4424U, Dillon, MT, May 31, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2003, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Dillon, MT - Coordinates: 45.256389, -112.589447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2564&lon=-112.5894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Helena FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57092/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, and his inadequate remedial actions during his attempt to realign the aircraft with the runway. Factors include a crosswind, and the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel-equipped aircraft. ## 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 - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - fence ## Analysis During the last part of the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered a crosswind and was pushed toward the side of the runway. Although he attempted to realign the aircraft with the runway, the pilot was unable to do so, and the aircraft departed the side of the runway surface. After departing the runway, the aircraft collided with a nearby fence. The pilot stated that he had been flying nose gear aircraft for 34 years, and simply needed more tailwheel experience, of which he had only 20 hours, before attempting a takeoff in crosswind conditions. He further stated that he did not believe there was anything wrong with the aircraft's flight controls or tailwheel steering mechanism. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2003, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 150, N4424U, collided with a fence during the takeoff roll at a private airstrip near Dillon, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The intended 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight was planned to terminate at Salmon, Idaho. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, during the last part of the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered a crosswind and was pushed toward the side of the runway. Although he attempted to realign the aircraft with the runway, the pilot was unable to do so, and the aircraft departed the side of the runway surface. After departing the runway, the aircraft collided with a nearby fence. The pilot stated that he had been flying nose gear aircraft for 34 years, and simply needed more tailwheel experience, of which he had only 20 hours, before attempting a takeoff in crosswind conditions. He further stated that he did not believe there was anything wrong with the aircraft's flight controls or tailwheel steering mechanism. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4424U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4424U-2014-10-09), registration cancelled 2014-10-09, S/N 15060424, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15060424 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard G. McAfee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: Dillon, MT - Destination: SMN, Salmon, ID - Airport: McAfee Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 25, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20030531011319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030531011319A), May 31, 2003: Cessna 150D, Dillon, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he encountered a gusty crosswind on takeoff from his Private dirt airstrip, lost directional control, went off the runway, through a fence… 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.