N6250T

Substantial
None

CESSNA 150S/N: 15060950

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
NTSB Number
GAA17CA546
Location
Siler City, NC
Event ID
20170920X64857
Coordinates
35.704166, -79.504165
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper decision to take off with known electrical issues, which distracted him and led to a loss of directional control during the takeoff roll.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15060950
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
150C150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
150E

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
WINNETT TOMMY E
Address
1817 WATERFORD POINTE RD
City
LEXINGTON
State / Zip Code
NC 27292-6568
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, during a time building cross-country flight, the airplane had multiple mechanical malfunctions.

On the fourth leg of the flight, he departed the airport and noticed that the airplane was low on fuel. He flew to a nearby airport, landed, and added 10 gallons of fuel.

After fueling, the airplane would not start, and he asked a maintenance shop to jump the airplane's battery. Then, during taxi to the runway, he noticed that the "radios and other electronics" were inoperative, but he continued to the runway. During the takeoff roll, he was startled by a loud noise in his headset, which he believed came from the airplane's communication radio. He attempted to assess the problem during the takeoff roll and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway into the safety area.

After regaining control, he taxied back to the approach end of the runway. He performed a flight control check and an engine power check and departed the airport.

The pilot reported that he then landed at a non-towered airport "to check out the aircraft". He performed another flight control check and an engine run-up but did not exit the airplane "because of the starting issue." The pilot then departed for the destination airport.

He reported that he landed the airplane and taxied to parking. He recalled that he performed a post-flight check of the airplane, but "other than grass and grass stains [he] did not see any damage".

Later that evening, the owner of the airplane informed the pilot that the left wing was damaged.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar and aileron.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA546