Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors associated with the accident are the snow covered/drifted runway, and a fence.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On January 21, 1995, about 1530 central standard time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N8981S, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a fence shortly after liftoff from a snow covered private airstrip located near Castlewood, South Dakota. The solo commercial pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and the intended destination was Valley City, North Dakota.
The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that he landed on the North/South section of the private airstrip, but elected to depart on the East/West runway because it appeared to have less snow covering. During the takeoff roll, the pilot said that the airplane's landing gear encountered snow drifts which slowed its acceleration. The airplane lifted off near the end of the runway, struck a fence with its elevator, and crashed.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI95LA077