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NTSB Report

May 17, 2018 · Cessna 150 F · N7750F

Killeen, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Killeen, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 150 F (1966)
Tail Number
N7750F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA300

The pilot reported that, during a max performance takeoff, he set the flaps to 10° and accelerated to 60 mph. He pulled back and pitched the airplane for Vx (best angle climb), 52 mph, to simulate an obstacle, and then pitched for Vy (best rate climb), 72 mph, where he observed that the airplane was descending. He pitched back to gain altitude but immediately heard the stall warning horn and felt a lack of responsiveness in the flight controls. He leveled the airplane to touch down on the remaining runway, but the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that the cause of the accident was that the published Vx airspeed was below the stall speed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation but that it was possible that the engine was not performing at optimal performance. The airplane owner's manual checklist titled "Maximum Performance Take-Off" stated: 1. Wing Flaps – Up. 2. Carburetor Heat – Cold. 3. Brakes – Hold. 4. Throttle – Full "OPEN." 5. Brakes – Release. 6. Elevator Control – Slightly tail low. 7. Climb Speed – 52 MPH (with obstacles head). The manual also stated: Normal and obstacle clearance take-offs are performed with flaps up. The use of 10° flaps will shorten the ground run approximately 10%, but this advantage is lost in the climb to a 50-foot obstacle. Therefore, the use of 10° flap is reserved for minimum ground runs or for take-off from soft or rough fields with no obstacles ahead.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a maximum performance takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot’s failure to use the appropriate flap setting in accordance with the manufacturer’s Maximum Performance Takeoff checklist.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that, during a max performance takeoff, he set the flaps to 10° and accelerated to 60 mph. He pulled back and pitched the airplane for Vx (best angle climb), 52 mph, to simulate an obstacle, then pitched for Vy (best rate climb), 72 mph, where he observed a rate of descent. He pitched back to gain altitude, but immediately heard the stall warning horn and felt a lack of responsiveness in the flight controls. He leveled the airplane to touch down on the remaining runway, but the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that the cause of the accident was that the published Vx airspeed is below the stall speed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, but that it was possible that the engine was not performing at optimal performance. The airplane owner's manual checklist titled "Maximum Performance Take-Off" states: 1. Wing Flaps – Up. 2. Carburetor Heat – Cold. 3. Brakes – Hold. 4. Throttle – Full "OPEN". 5. Brakes – Release. 6. Elevator Control – Slightly tail low. 7. Climb Speed – 52 MPH (with obstacles head). The manual also states: "Normal and obstacle clearance take-offs are performed with flaps up. The use of 10° flaps will shorten the ground run approximately 10%, but this advantage is lost in the climb to a 50-foot obstacle. Therefore the use of 10° flap is reserved for minimum ground runs or for take-off from soft or rough fields with no obstacles ahead." The manual also states that the stall speed, with 0° angle of bank, is as follows: Flaps Up – 55 mph Flaps 20° - 49 mph Flaps 40° - 48 mph

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSkylark Field (0nm SSW)
Runway01
Runway Length5495 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150 F
Tail NumberN7750F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-200 SERIES · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data