# NTSB WPR14CA204: Cessna 150C, N2068Z, Wellington, NV, May 22, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2014, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Wellington, NV - Coordinates: 38.516109, -119.214721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5161&lon=-119.2147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89259 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89259/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89259 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while departing from a wet runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on a wet dirt airstrip, the airplane reached rotation speed quickly but indicated no further speed. The pilot felt the main gear impact softer areas on either side while keeping the airplane under control just prior to lifting off. The airplane was airborne briefly then settled back down. As the airplane was approaching the departure end of the runway where the surface slopes down it became airborne. The pilot reported that he turned toward lower terrain and attempted to follow the airport access road but failed to maintain aircraft control. The airplane did not attain sufficient altitude and collided with a fence and nosed over. The wings, vertical stabilizer and rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on a wet dirt airstrip, the airplane reached rotation speed quickly but indicated no further speed. The pilot felt the main gear impact softer areas on either side while keeping the airplane under control just prior to lifting off. The airplane was airborne briefly then settled back down. As the airplane was approaching the departure end of the runway where the surface slopes down it became airborne. The pilot reported that he turned toward lower terrain and attempted to follow the airport access road but failed to maintain aircraft control. The airplane did not attain sufficient altitude and collided with a fence and nosed over. The wings, vertical stabilizer and rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2068Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2068Z), registered now, S/N 15059868, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150C (C) - Registry model: [Cessna 150C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150c) (registry code 2071808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15059868 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 6873 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 2014, 100 hours before - Departed: NV72, Wellington, NV - Destination: BIH, BISHOP, CA - Airport: NV72, Sweetwater (Usmc), runway 36, 3,700 × 60 ft, water ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,829 total, 1,302 in this make and model, 1,770 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KNFL, 59 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 20140522006389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140522006389A), May 22, 2014: Cessna 150C, Wellington, NV, Substantial damage. After testing runway conditions with a motor vehicle, the pilot determined that the soft dirt runway was suitable for a takeoff run as the aircraft was lighter… ## Other investigations on N2068Z (2) 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 WPR10CA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA453), Sep 3, 2010: Cessna 150C (N2068Z), Fields, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudged landing flare, resulting in a bounced landing and loss of directional control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inaccurate perception of the airplane’s proximity to… - [NTSB UNK64X1846](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1846), May 19, 1964: Cessna 150 (N2068Z), Walnut Grove, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89259. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Runway Surface (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416164&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Runway%20Surface%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.