Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN09LA557

Rosedale, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N6446F

CESSNA 150F

Analysis

The 84-year-old pilot reported that the airplane did not seem to have enough power to become airborne during the takeoff. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway, where it came to rest after contacting trees and scrub brush. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Neither the pilot nor the airplane had flown during the past 3 years. The pilot did not hold a current medical certificate. The pilot's wife reported that he suffered a fall 3 years ago and that his physical and mental capabilities were such that he should not have been trying to fly the airplane.

Factual Information

On September 2, 2009, at 1310 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N6446F, collided with trees and the terrain following a loss of control while taking off from a private airstrip in Rosedale, Michigan. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The local personal flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 85-year-old pilot reported that the airplane did not seem to have enough power to become airborne during the takeoff. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway where it came to rest after contacting trees and scrub brush. The pilot had not flown during the past 3 years, nor had the airplane been flown in 3 years. The pilot did not hold a current medical certificate. The pilot's wife reported he suffered a fall 3 years ago and that his physical and mental capabilities were such that he should not have been trying to fly the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground run. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's deteriorated physical and mental capabilities.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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