Casualties unknown

1995-08-25: Cessna 152 (N6391M) — Orson, PA

Orson, PA, US

On August 25, 1995, a Cessna 152 (registration N6391M) was involved in an aviation accident near Orson, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to take off from an unsuitable surface after misidentifying it as an airport, which resulted in insufficient climb performance and collision with terrain obstacles during an aborted takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot attempting to depart from a farm pasture he mistook for an airport aborted his takeoff after realizing he could not clear nearby trees, resulting in the aircraft striking a dirt pile.

What happened

The pilot attempted to operate from a location he mistakenly identified as a privately owned airport. Upon closer inspection, it became evident that the site was actually a farm pasture. After recognizing the error, the pilot initiated an attempt to depart from this unsuitable surface.

Choosing to take off upwind and uphill rather than downhill and downwind, the pilot accelerated for lift-off. Shortly after becoming airborne, he realized the aircraft lacked sufficient performance to clear the surrounding tree line. Consequently, he aborted the takeoff and returned to the ground. Upon touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes, but the airplane collided with a pile of dirt and shrubs estimated to be eight to ten feet high. The aircraft came to rest in a nose-down attitude.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the incident.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to take off from an unsuitable surface after misidentifying it as an airport, which resulted in insufficient climb performance and collision with terrain obstacles during an aborted takeoff.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04361. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.