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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

February 20, 1997 · Cessna 150 · N11438

Clarksville, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Clarksville, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N11438
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC97LA056

The aircraft veered off the runway during the takeoff roll and collided with trees. According to the pilot, "we did a normal run up at the point half way up the hill on runway 13. Everything looked okay, controls worked okay, carburetor heat and magnetos checked okay. We taxied to the top of the hill and attempted to take off. Within seconds after we started to roll on runway 13, the airplane veered to the left. I applied full right rudder. The airplane straightened out but it had gone too far left. With the right pedal on the floor, the airplane had straightened out fairly close to a line of small pine trees on the left side of the runway. The airplane continued parallel to the trees for about 100 feet even though I continued full right rudder. Finally, the airplane turned left into the trees." The pilot further stated that he "should have pulled power immediately when [the] airplane went out of control."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and failure to abort the takeoff.

Full Narrative

On February 20, 1997, about 1645 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N11438, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during the takeoff roll at the Haysfield Airport, Clarksville, Maryland. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. There was no flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a statement submitted by the pilot, he stated: "We did a normal run up at the point half way up the hill on runway 13. Everything looked okay, controls worked okay, carburetor heat and magnetos checked okay. We taxied to the top of the hill and attempted to take off. Within seconds after we started to roll on runway 13, the plane veered to the left. I applied full right rudder. The plane straightened out but it had gone too far left. With the right peddle on the floor, the plane had straightened out fairly close to a line of small pine trees on the left side of the runway. The plane continued parallel to the trees for about 100 feet even though I continued full right rudder. Finally, the plane turned left into the trees." The pilot further stated that he "should have pulled power immediately when [the] plane went out of control." Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction with the airplane, nor did the pilot report any. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that the winds were from 310 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 16.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EST
Nearest AirportHaysfield (0nm)
Runway13
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN11438
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data