N50753

Substantial
Minor

Cessna 150JS/N: 15069530

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, August 31, 2008
NTSB Number
CHI08CA276
Location
Spring Grove, IL
Event ID
20081003X41459
Coordinates
42.453056, -88.205001
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Contributing factors were the trees and the high density altitude.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N50753
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15069530
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1968
Model / ICAO
150JC150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
HUTCHINSON SAMUEL F
Address
3884 BREEZY HILL RD
Status
Deregistered
City
FENNIMORE
State / Zip Code
WI 53809-9675
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he taxied the two-seat Cessna 150 airplane from the hangar onto the privately owned 2,000-foot grass airstrip and departed to the north. A witness stated that he observed the airplane takeoff, but it was slower than usual. The witness stated that the airplane usually gained altitude quickly after takeoff, but it seemed to nose-up and began "plowing forward" without gaining altitude. The airplane banked hard left but it hit some trees. The airplane nosed over when it impacted the ground. The pilot, his son, and his 18-month-old grandson received minor injuries. The pilot reported that the engine was operating properly. The inspection of the airplane revealed no pre-existing anomalies to the airframe or engine. The pilot indicated that there were 100-foot trees north of the departure end of the runway, but there were no obstacles to the south. The winds were from the east at about 9 knots. The local temperature was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which produced a density altitude of about 2,914 feet. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by a "more thorough assessment of density altitude and choice of runway heading for departure."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI08CA276