On July 28, 2007, a Cessna 150H (registration N22198) was involved in an aviation accident near Cook, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot not maintaining airspeed leading to the stall/mush encountered during takeoff and the unsuitable terrain the pilot selected during the forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane stalled on takeoff; the pilot reported insufficient altitude to recover due to high trees, then landed on a road and steered into a ditch to avoid a car.
Incident Overview
During the takeoff phase, the airplane experienced a stall. The pilot attempted to recover but found the available altitude inadequate due to the presence of a tall tree line at the end of the runway. Faced with the stall, the pilot decided to abort the departure and land on a nearby road.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, after touching down on the road, an approaching car appeared directly ahead. To avoid a collision, the pilot applied left pedal input, which caused the airplane to veer off the road and enter a ditch. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft throughout the flight.
Outcome
The aircraft came to rest in the ditch following the evasive maneuver. No further details regarding damage or injuries were provided. The pilot's actions averted a potential collision with the vehicle.