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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 21, 1995 · Cessna 150F · N8981S

Castlewood, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 21, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Castlewood, SD
Aircraft
Cessna 150F
Tail Number
N8981S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA077

THE PILOT REPORTED HE LANDED ON THE NORTH/SOUTH ORIENTED RUNWAY AT THE PRIVATE, SNOW COVERED SOD AIRSTRIP, BUT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF ON THE EAST/WEST SOD RUNWAY BECAUSE IT APPEARED TO HAVE LESS SNOW. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT SAID THE LANDING GEAR ENCOUNTERED DRIFTED SNOW WHICH SLOWED THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF RUN, AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE NEAR THE END OF THE 2,400' RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF AND CRASHED.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors associated with the accident are the snow covered/drifted runway, and a fence.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CST
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150F
Tail NumberN8981S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data