Cessna 150 accident near Larchwood, IA
On February 7, 1997, a Cessna 150 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Larchwood, IA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 7, 1997
- Place
- Larchwood, IA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 43.450°N, 96.430°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07383
NTSB summary
History of Flight On February 6, 1997, at 1800 central standard time (CST), a Cessna 150, N714EE, was destroyed during takeoff when the airplane impacted the ground about one half mile from the runway at Larchwood Airport, Larchwood, Iowa. The private pilot received fatal injuries. The 14 CFR 91 flight was departing Larchwood Airport en route to Luverne, Minnesota. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. Witnesses reported that the pilot had planned to fly the airplane to Luverne, Minnesota, which was about 13 nautical miles to the northeast, in order for the airplane to get an annual maintenance inspection. Although the weather at Larchwood consisted of instrument conditions with fog and ice, the pilot decided to takeoff. A witness who lived at the departure airport reported that she saw the aircraft lights at the north end of runway 18. She reported that she could not believe the aircraft was departing considering the dense fog. She heard the pilot add power and commence the takeoff run to the south. She did not see the aircraft become airborne due to the snow banks and visibility. A farmer who lived about one half mile to the east of the airport reported that he heard the airplane crash about 1800 CST. No one saw the airplane depart the airport. The airplane impacted the ground about one half mile east of the departure end of runway 18. A search was commenced by local authorities. Members of the search teams reported that the visibility during the search was restricted to about 50 feet, and ice was forming on their glasses and snowmob
Probable cause
the noninstrument-rated pilot's takeoff into instrument meteorological conditions. The weather was a factor.
More accidents in IA
- Rockwell 500-S, Nov 25, 1985
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Browse: Iowa · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
