N8153V

On July 2, 1998, at 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A150M, N8153V, registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with trees shortly after takeoff from Whidbey Airpark, Langley, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. The flight had originated from Port Townsend, Washington, about 20 minutes prior to the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he and his passenger had departed from Port Townsend with full fuel tanks. The pilot reported that during the takeoff ground run and climb-out, there was a "perceived lack of power." The pilot indicated two reasons for this: "(a) Pilot had recently been flying larger C-152 model aircraft, with more power, and (b) pilot and passenger are both fairly heavy."

The pilot stated that after locating the airpark, he circled around and set up for an approach to the northerly runway. The pilot reported that the approach was "a little high," and touchdown was "a bit long." The pilot recalls adding power and retracting the flaps for the go-around, but does not recall anything after this point. The pilot did indicate that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions.

A witness reported to local authorities that he observed the aircraft after takeoff, when the nose dropped and then collided with the trees.

The on site investigation was documented by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Seattle Flight Standards District Office, Renton, Washington. The inspector reported that the airplane collided with the trees about one-quarter of a mile from the end of the airstrip. The area was densely populated with tall trees. Impact signatures indicate that the airplane struck near the top of the trees then slid down.

Control continuity was established throughout the flight controls. The flaps were found in the retracted position. The engine controls were noted, and found that the throttle was full forward. The mixture was out about one inch, and the carburetor heat was on about one half to three-quarters.

The engine was examined and found that the crankshaft rotated easily. Accessory gear and valve train continuity was established. All cylinders except for the number two cylinder held compression. The number two cylinder displayed impact damage. The spark plugs exhibited normal operating signatures. Both magnetos produced a spark.

The weight and balance was calculated for this flight operation. It was noted that the fuel tanks were full at the time of departure. The fuel capacity for this aircraft is 22.5 gallons. The combined body weight of the pilot and passenger was estimated at 386 pounds. A 20-pound briefcase was in the baggage compartment. The total loading of the aircraft at the time of departure from Port Townsend was approximately 1,655 pounds. The loading of the aircraft after approximately 30 minutes of flight, and for the takeoff from the airpark, was approximately 1,619 pounds. The total gross weight for this aircraft is 1,600 pounds.

The pilot's flight logbook indicates a total flight time of 305 hours, with 97 hours as pilot-in-command. The first logged entry was in 1961. Flight time was accumulated until 1969. Flight time does not resume until September 1996. Since 1996, the pilot has accumulated a total flight time of 74 hours. The logbook indicates that the pilot has accumulated 47 hours in a Cessna 152; 19 hours in a Cessna 150, and eight hours in a Cessna 172. In the last 90 days prior to the accident, the pilot had accumulated ten hours in a Cessna 152, with no flight time in the Cessna 150.