Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150J near Topping, VA — 2014-07-06

Final reportERA14FA328
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Date
2014-07-06
Location
Topping, VA, USA
Airport
W75
Aircraft
CESSNA 150J
Registration
N50824
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the airplane as it departed and reported that it appeared to have trouble climbing. The airplane then returned to the runway two times, but the pilot aborted the landing approach both times. During the climbout following the second aborted landing, the airplane banked to the left, descended in a nose-low attitude, and impacted the ground. Witness descriptions of the descent and observations of the wreckage and accident site were consistent with the pilot flying the airplane beyond its critical angle of attack, which resulted in the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall/spin. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology testing identified a prescription antidepressant and its metabolite, as well as a prescription drug used to treat hypertension in the pilot's liver and blood. These medications are unlikely to have contributed to the accident. Calculations of the airplane's weight and balance at the time of the accident showed that it was likely loaded just below or slightly in excess of its maximum gross weight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after low fuel indication.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • FDR / data
  • Photos
  • 14 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents14

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