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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

November 17, 1997 · Cessna 150 · N50579

Plymouth, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Plymouth, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N50579
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA038

The pilot began taking off from a cut soybean field that was covered with about 3 inches of snow. He said the airplane encountered a left, front, quartering crosswind during the takeoff. Shortly after lift off, the airplane banked to the right. The pilot said he did not use 10 degrees of flaps for takeoff as the manufacturer recommended in the pilot operating handbook for the accident airplane. During the right bank, the airplane's right wingtip contacted the field's surface. According to the pilot, the airplane cartwheeled after that.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the crosswind, soft field takeoff. Factors in this accident were the pilot not following the airplane manufacturer's recommended takeoff procedures by lowering the flaps, and the crosswind.

Full Narrative

On November 17, 1997, at 1800 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna 150, N50579, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with the ground following takeoff from a snow covered, cut, soybean field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed the cut soybean field that was about 3-miles northwest of Plymouth, Indiana, at 1800 est. The pilot said he exhausted the airplane's fuel during a cross country flight. He said he made a forced landing without incident. The pilot said he refueled the airplane with about 10 gallons of fuel. According to the pilot, the field he was taking off from was covered with about 3-inches of snow. He said a front, lefthand, 40-degree crosswind of 5 to 10 knots existed when he began the takeoff roll. The pilot said the airplane lifted off the ground when he used the manufacturer's recommended soft field takeoff technique. He said the airplane began a bank to the right shortly after takeoff. The airplane's right wingtip dragged on the ground causing the airplane to cartwheel, according to the pilot. The pilot was asked how many degrees of flaps he had extended for the soft field takeoff. He said he did not extend any flaps for the takeoff. The Cessna 150 pilot's operating handbook states that, "...the use of 10 [degrees of] flaps is reserved... for takeoff from soft or rough fields with no obstacles ahead." The pilot said there were no obstacles in front of the takeoff path that would have created a clearance problem for the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN50579
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data