Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW93LA093

FORT WORTH, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N714AT

CESSNA 150M

Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM AN AIRPORT NEAR HIS FINAL DESTINATION. DURING THE TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ESTABLISHING A HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK AS IT APPROACHED A FENCE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE 3,740 FOOT RUNWAY. AFTER CLEARING THE FENCE, THE PILOT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE RETRACTED THE FLAPS AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED IMPACTING THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. WIND WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT TO BE FROM 330 DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 25

Factual Information

On March 3, 1993, at approximately 1710 central standard time, a Cessna 150M airplane, N714AT, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain following a loss of control while on departure from runway 14 at the Hicks Airport, Fort Worth, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight. According to the operator, the student pilot was on a solo cross country flight that was to includ an intermediate refueling stop at Abilene and a landing at Gainsville, prior to returning to Meacham Field in Fort Worth, Texas. According to witnesses, the airplane attempted a downwind takeoff from runway 14 at Hicks Airport. After a long takeoff roll, the airplane was observed establishing a high angle of attack as it approached a fence at the departure end of the runway. After clearing the fence, the pilot was reported to retract the flaps and the witness further reported seeing the nose of the airplane drop and making impact with the ground in a nose low attitude. The winds at the airport were reported to be from the north at an estimated 25 knots. The wreckage was released to the operator at the accident site.

Probable Cause and Findings

INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports