NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On May 1, 1993, at 1514 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N6783G, registered to Sky Flyers, Inc., of Elgin, Illinois, and operated by a private rated pilot, experienced a departure from controlled flight on final approach to runway 9 (4,199' X 50' dry/asphalt), at De Kalb Taylor Municipal Airport, De Kalb, Illinois. The airplane was destroyed on impact with the terrain. The pilot and a pilot passenger sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions, under provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The airplane was based at Union, Illinois, and had been observed conducting takeoff and landings at De Kalb, Illinois, prior to the accident. Original departure time is unknown.

There were several eye witnesses to the accident. Their statements are included in the De Kalb Police Case Report attached as an addendum to this report. These witnesses indicated that they observed the airplane on what appeared to be final approach to runway 9. One witnesses stated that the airplane appeared low. Another Witness stated that the airplane was moving slowly. One witness stated that the airplane appeared to wobble, before the nose pitched down and the airplane began to rotate just prior to impact with the terrain.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The female pilot occupying the left seat held a private pilot certificate with privileges for airplane single engine land and glider. She was issued a third class medical certificate on October 25, 1991. Her total pilot experience, at the time of the accident, was 283 hours with 197 hours in make and model. She had flown a total of ten hours in the preceding 90 days. Her most recent biennial flight review was 31 months prior to the accident in a Blanik (glider). The male pilot occupying the right seat held a private pilot certificate with privileges for airplane single engine land. He was issued a third class medical certificate on December 24, 1992. His total pilot experience consisted of 212 hours with 98 hours in make and model. He had no flight hours logged in the preceding 90 days. His most recent biennial flight review was seven months prior to the accident in a Cessna 172.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The airplane was a Cessna 150L, N6783G, serial number 15072283. The airplane had accumulated 6,562 hours total time at the time of the accident. The most recent annual inspection was conducted on March 3, 1993, and the airplane had been flown ten hours since the inspection. The engine time since the last major overhaul was 1,038 hours.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane was lying on its top with the front of the airplane headed west northwest. There was a six inch deep crater where the propeller, engine, engine cowling, and nosewheel impacted the terrain. The impact marks lay on a east southeast heading and the indentations in the earth indicated a near vertical descent. There was a circumferential break in the fuselage aft of the baggage compartment and the tailcone lay on top of the inverted fuselage. The engine and firewall penetrated the cockpit. Wing leading edge crush line was symmetrical. The propeller was twisted and had gouge marks on the leading edge. Fuel remained in the tanks. Control continuity was confirmed throughout the airplane. Spark plugs were removed and found to have combustion deposits. Magnetos were removed and sparked when rotated manually. Fuel remained in the lines to the carburetor and in the carburetor acceleration pump. The carburetor venturi was intact.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An Autopsy was performed on both pilot's by L. W. Blum. M.D., on May 3, 1993, in Sycamore, Illinois, at the request of the De Kalb County Coroner. Toxicological examination of specimens from both pilots was conducted and is attached as an addendum to this report. No pre-existing anomalies or toxicological factors were found during the examinations which would have contributed to the accident.

ADDITIONAL DATA/INFORMATION

Parties to the investigation were the Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards District Office, West Chicago, Illinois, and Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kansas. All parties were briefed on findings prior to departure from the on scene investigation. The airplane wreckage was released to the insurance company, representing the owner, on May 3, 1993.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT FLYING THE AIRPLANE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALL SPEED.