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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

August 28, 1998 · Cessna 150M · N704DL

Lamar, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lamar, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N704DL
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA379

The pilot used 10 degrees of flaps 'for a short field takeoff' in an attempt to take off from a farmer's hayfield. The airplane lifted off at 50 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed) and began climbing. The pilot then noticed the airplane had begun descending. He said engine power 'was 100 per cent and airspeed was less than 50 knots.' The airplane struck the ground, crossed a drainage ditch, collided with an embankment, and nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain climb airspeed, and inadvertently allowing the airplane to stall/mush. A factor was the embankment.

Full Narrative

On August 28, 1998, approximately 1400 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N704DL, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during takeoff from an open field near Lamar, Colorado. The student pilot, the sole occupant aboard, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional solo flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot said he departed Air Care Crop Dusting, a private airstrip located about 8 miles northeast of Lamar, and flew to a farmer-friend's hayfield at May Valley, Colorado, located about 5 miles north of Lamar, where he landed. After having a conversation with his friend, he departed. According to his accident report, the pilot used 10 (degrees) of flaps "for a short field takeoff." The airplane lifted off at 50 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed) and began climbing. The pilot then noticed the airplane had begun descending. He said engine power "was 100 per cent and airspeed was less than 50 knots." The airplane struck the ground, crossed a drainage ditch, collided with an embankment, and nosed over. The left wing was bent and the vertical stabilizer was crushed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN704DL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data