Cessna 150 N4424U

Summary

On 31 May 2003 at about 15:30 local time, a Cessna 150 registered N4424U was involved in an accident near Dillon, Montana, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 2003 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Dillon, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

McAfee Airstrip

Coordinates

45.2564, -112.5894

Aircraft

Cessna 150

Registration

N4424U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Dillon → Salmon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03LA091

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, and his inadequate remedial actions during his attempt to realign the aircraft with the runway. Factors include a crosswind, and the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel-equipped aircraft.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the last part of the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered a crosswind and was pushed toward the side of the runway. Although he attempted to realign the aircraft with the runway, the pilot was unable to do so, and the aircraft departed the side of the runway surface. After departing the runway, the aircraft collided with a nearby fence. The pilot stated that he had been flying nose gear aircraft for 34 years, and simply needed more tailwheel experience, of which he had only 20 hours, before attempting a takeoff in crosswind conditions. He further stated that he did not believe there was anything wrong with the aircraft's flight controls or tailwheel steering mechanism.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.