Cessna 150 near Port Isabel, TX — 2020-02-29

Final reportCEN20FA108

Date: 2020-02-29
Location: Port Isabel, TX, USA
Airport: PIL
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Registration: N407WJ
Category: Airplane
Highest injury: Fatal
Fatalities: 1
Phase of flight: Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control during the initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

NTSB narrative

Before the accident, the pilot told the co-owner he planned to perform touch and go maneuvers. Data showed that the airplane departed and conducted one left traffic pattern flight. It could not be determined if the pilot performed a touch-and-go, or a go-around. The airplane then entered a left crosswind, and the last radar target indicated the airplane was at 250 ft above ground level and 125 knots ground speed. There were no witnesses to the accident. The airplane impacted terrain in a 10° nose-down attitude, and the wreckage path measured about 120 ft in length. No anomalies were noted with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, it is likely that the pilot lost control during the initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. The pilot’s toxicology tests results revealed he had used marijuana, but none of the available information could be used to determine when that had occurred. As a result, it could not be determined if the pilot’s use of marijuana contributed to the accident.