# NTSB SEA97LA183: Cessna 150M, N704AA, Stanley, ID, August 8, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1997, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Stanley, ID
- Coordinates: 44.260009, -114.970909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2600&lon=-114.9709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42669/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA183

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain rotation speed.  The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and rough runway conditions were factors.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vr) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he checked the takeoff performance chart and determined that for the temperature, altitude, runway condition, and wind speed, he had enough runway to clear a 50-foot obstacle.  The pilot stated that prior to commencing the takeoff roll, he decided to use a soft field technique because of the rough runway condition.  When he rotated the airplane for lift-off, the airplane would not gain altitude, and it settled back to the runway.  The pilot reported that this occurred twice.  As the pilot was attempting to maintain control of the airplane, it was blown off the runway and subsequently collided with a barbed wire fence.

## Factual narrative

On August 8, 1997, at 1115 mountain daylight time, the pilot of a Cessna 150M, N704AA, operated by Mountain Home Aviation, as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a barbed wire fence during takeoff  from the Stanley Airport, Stanley, Idaho.   Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight was departing for Mountain Home, Idaho.

The pilot reported in a written statement that he had visually checked the wind direction and speed.  During the preflight check, the pilot noted that the temperature was 75 degrees and he checked the Cessna Pilots Operating Handbook Performance Section for the takeoff distance.  The pilot calculated that for the pressure altitude, temperature, runway condition and wind speed, that it would take approximately 3,036 feet of ground roll to clear a 50 foot obstacle.  The airport length at Stanley is 4,300 feet.

The pilot stated that just prior to commencing the takeoff ground roll, he reviewed the soft field takeoff procedures and elected to use the soft field technique for takeoff because of the rough runway condition.  The pilot stated that when he rotated the airplane for liftoff, the airplane failed to continue to gain altitude and settled back to the runway.  The pilot reported that this occurred twice.  The pilot stated that as he was attempting to maintain control of the airplane, it was blown off the runway to the east and subsequently collided with a barbed wire fence.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704AA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N704AA), registered now, S/N 15078448, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078448
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mountain Home Aviation
- Registered owner: Arnold J. Borreson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1997
- Destination: U76, MOUNTAIN HOME, ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 2U7, Stanley, runway 17, 4,300 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 121 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 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 19970808021569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970808021569A), Aug 8, 1997: Cessna 150M, Stanley, ID, Substantial damage. Aircrft lost control on takeoff and struck 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.

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