Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150 near Manley Hot Spgs, AK — 2008-07-12

Final reportANC08LA088
Sign in to save
Date
2008-07-12
Location
Manley Hot Spgs, AK, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 150
Registration
N22563
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a ditch during the takeoff roll. Factors contributing to the accident were low light conditions at dusk, and soft terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing from a sand bar in a tricycle gear-equipped airplane at dusk. During the takeoff run, he said the airplane was slow to accelerate due to loose gravel/sand, so he aborted the takeoff. A second attempt to takeoff produced similar results, and the pilot again aborted the takeoff. He then positioned the airplane onto an area of grass, and attempted a third takeoff run. The airplane was rolling on grass and sand, and only accelerated to about 36 mph, so the pilot made a slight left turn to extend his takeoff area. The nose gear collided with an unseen ditch, and collapsed rearward. The airplane received structural damage to the left wing rear spar cap, and a fuselage bulkhead. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

Related mishaps