Cessna 150F N7738F

Summary

On 20 August 1998 at about 17:59 local time, a Cessna 150F registered N7738F was involved in an accident near Wilton, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 August 1998 at 17:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Wilton, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Garrison Private Airstrip (NONE)

Coordinates

33.7395, -94.1504

Aircraft

Cessna 150F

Registration

N7738F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98FA365

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed for flight, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors were the pilot's improper use of flaps during the takeoff climb and the high density altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted the ground in a nose down attitude following a loss of control on takeoff. The passenger reported that the pilot 'pulled back [too] hard on the controls causing the airplane to stall.' He further reported that the takeoff roll on the 3,200-foot grass runway 'seemed a little long,' and the aircraft lifted off after about 1,500 feet. The climb appeared to be sluggish and the stall warning audio began to sound right after lift off. A witness reported that the engine was 'running good,' but the 'engine was not at a high rpm.' The witness also stated that the engine was not 'missing or sputtering,' but sounded as though 'it was in a strain, like a lawn mower in tall grass, pulling down.' The airplane's weight at takeoff was calculated at 1613.4 pounds. The maximum gross weight of the airplane is 1,600 pounds. Density altitude was calculated at 2,958 feet. At the accident site, continuity was established to all flight control surfaces. The flaps were found extended to 30 degrees. The manufacturer recommends the use of 10 degrees or less of flaps on takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.