N9416U

Substantial
Serious

CESSNA 150MS/N: 15078364

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
NTSB Number
ERA11CA377
Location
Ridgeway, VA
Event ID
20110706X60519
Coordinates
36.584445, -79.889724
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
2
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's decision to takeoff using a flap setting higher than the manufacturer's recommended setting for takeoff.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N9416U
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15078364
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1976
Model / ICAO
150MC150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
DAVIS ROBERT L
Address
1915 PINE RIDGE RD
Status
Deregistered
City
SEYMOUR
State / Zip Code
TN 37865
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the flight instructor, he and the private pilot under instruction filled the fuel tanks, performed a preflight inspection, taxied to the runway and completed an engine run up. They began the takeoff roll, with the flaps set at 10 degrees, from the 3,000-foot-long,up-sloped, turf runway and the airplane became airborne about one-third down the runway. The airplane climbed slowly and the flight instructor realized that it would not be able to clear the trees at the end of the runway. The private pilot applied the left rudder in order to turn the airplane and stay clear of the trees, but soon the instructor took the flight controls because he realized that the airplane was going to impact the trees. The airplane struck the trees approximately 20 feet from the tops, impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted. During the accident sequence, the fuselage, wings, and empennage were substantially damaged. The flight instructor reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Weight and balance calculations revealed that the airplane was at or slightly over the maximum takeoff weight provided by manufacturer. Also, the owner's manual stated that the best rate of climb was with flaps up and that the "use of 10 degrees of flaps is reserved for minimum ground runs or for take-off from soft or rough fields with no obstacles ahead."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA377