NTSB Factual Report

On April 19, 2003, approximately 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150 single-engine airplane, N7057F, registered to a private individual and being flown by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain while taking off at a private airstrip near Coos Bay, Oregon. The student pilot and his one passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In a telephone interview and according to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that when he "powered up for takeoff" he noticed the plane was "gaining speed too slow" and found the left brake caliper dragging and the airplane pulling to the left. The pilot further reported that about halfway down the runway he realized the airplane was not gaining speed and decided to abort the takeoff. He said he subsequently realized that he didn't have room to stop, at which time he added full power and "decided to take off." The pilot reported that he "rotated late and pulled back on the yoke a little too hard," which resulted in the tail striking the ground. The pilot stated the airplane then came off the ground, hit some berry bushes, some trees, then impacted the top of another tree when "the airplane stalled and the nose went down." The pilot further reported "the airplane was fine while I was taxiing for takeoff and the engine was running great the whole time."

In a statement provided to an FAA inspector, the pilot's son, who is also a pilot, stated that he had experienced problems with the left brake dragging on a previous occasion, and that "in similar situations they would taxi the aircraft until the brake was free." The pilot's son also reported that operations on the accident date were similar to previous operations where the brake had been dragging.

An FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported the airplane had come to rest on what was approximately a 20-degree down slope of a ravine. The aircraft was intact, with the exception of the pilot's door, which was located 10 feet from the aircraft. The aircraft's engine was reported buried in approximately 3 feet of water, and the propeller was damaged. The left aileron, both wings and the firewall sustained substantial damage. The inspector also reported that an examination of the left brake did not reveal any anomalies which would have prevented normal operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper remedial action during takeoff and his failure to maintain airspeed. Contributing factors included the binding of the left brake and the trees.