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NTSB Report

October 2, 2004 · Cessna 150G · N3086R

Augusta, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 2004
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Augusta, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 150G
Tail Number
N3086R
Operator
Terry Gollehon
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA05LA002

Shortly after takeoff the airplane collided with trees and rising terrain. In a written statement the pilot reported the airplane collided with trees and rising terrain after departing runway 12. He reported that the airplane cleared trees (approximately 50 feet in height) located at the end of the departure runway, however, the aircraft made contact with multiple trees and rising terrain beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated "we hit trees for 150 yards before slowing enough to hit the ground." The published airport elevation for Benchmark is 5,434 feet MSL. No mechanical malfunctions or failures that may have contributed to the accident were reported.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance which resulted in the in-flight collision with rising terrain. Trees and rising terrain are factors in the accident.

Full Narrative

On October 2, 2004, about 0955 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150G airplane, N3086R, sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees and terrain shortly after takeoff from the Benchmark Airport (3U7), Augusta, Montana. The airplane is owned by the passenger and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. In a written statement the pilot reported the airplane collided with trees and rising terrain shortly after departing runway 12 at Benchmark. The pilot reported the airplane cleared trees (approximately 50 feet in height) located at the end of the departure runway, however, the aircraft made contact with multiple trees and rising terrain beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated "we hit trees for 150 yards before slowing enough to hit the ground." The published airport elevation for Benchmark is 5,434 feet MSL. The pilot reported that the outside air temperature at the time of the accident was 34 degrees Fahrenheit. No mechanical malfunctions or failures that may have contributed to the accident were reported.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:55 MDT
Nearest AirportAUGUSTA (0nm ESE)
Runway12
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150G
Tail NumberN3086R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTerry Gollehon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data