No fatalities

2 Sep 2009: CESSNA 150F (N6446F) — Robert C. Rawlings — Rosedale, MI

Rosedale, MI, United States

On 2 Sep 2009, a CESSNA 150F (registration N6446F) operated by Robert C. Rawlings was involved in an aviation accident near Rosedale, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: 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. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

On September 2, 2009, a Cessna 150F collided with trees after a loss of control during takeoff from a private airstrip in Rosedale, Michigan. The pilot was not injured; the aircraft sustained substantial damage.

Accident Details

On September 2, 2009, at 1310 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, registration N6446F, collided with trees and terrain following a loss of control while taking off from a private airstrip in Rosedale, Michigan. 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 flight was originating at the time of the accident.

Aircraft Damage and Injuries

The airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

Pilot Information

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 and came to rest after contacting trees and scrub brush.

The pilot had not flown during the past three years, nor had the airplane been flown in that period. The pilot did not hold a current medical certificate. According to the pilot's wife, he had suffered a fall three years earlier, and his physical and mental capabilities were such that he should not have been trying to fly the airplane.

Contributing factors

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained