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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 14, 2011 · Cessna 150H · N6953S

Sabetha, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 2011
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Sabetha, KS
Aircraft
Cessna 150H
Tail Number
N6953S
Operator
Alvin R Wenger
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA575

According to witnesses, the airplane stalled four times while on final approach; the airplane would pull up, and then the nose would drop. The airplane finally nosed over from an altitude of 35 to 40 feet and impacted terrain. The pilot did not hold a valid pilot certificate and had been denied medical certification for, among other things, bilateral cataracts. The pilot reported no flight time in the preceding 90 days, and additionally reported that the airplane had no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of certification to act as a pilot and his lack of recent experience.

Full Narrative

On August 15, 2011, at 1038 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N6953S, impacted terrain during takeoff from Sabetha Municipal Airport (K83), Sabetha, Kansas. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating from K83. In his accident report, the 84-year-old pilot said that he had a heart valve replacement in early May 2011. Not wanting to pay unnecessary hangar rent, he decided to fly his airplane to his farm, where he had a 2,500-foot grass runway and a hangar. Lacking recent landing experience on grass runways, he aborted the landing attempt and returned to Sabetha. On his accident report, the pilot did not indicate there had been an accident. In addition, he indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. He indicated he had logged 70 hours total time, 45 hours as pilot-in-command, but no flight time in the previous 90 days. A witness saw the airplane as it approached the airport. He said the airplane would stall and the nose would drop, and the airplane would lose altitude. Then the nose would come up and the airplane would climb, then stall again. These oscillations occurred about four times and the airplane continuously lost altitude. The airplane stalled from an altitude of about 35 to 40 feet, impacted the ground, and nosed over. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector said the pilot did not hold a valid pilot certificate. He had been granted special medical authorizations in October 2006 and December 2007, but was denied medical certification in July of 2008. Denial was based upon, among other things, bilateral cataracts.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSabetha Municipal (0nm)
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150H
Tail NumberN6953S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlvin R Wenger
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 84 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data