Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Algona, Iowa 50511
Tuesady, December 20, 2005 19:38 CST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The airplane piloted by a non-instrument rated private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and subsequent nose over during an off field landing after takeoff when the flight encountered unexpected fog about 1938. Dark night visual to instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot had returned from a cross country flight. The pilot stated, "On ground [approximately] 8 min[utes]. Took off AXA for a local flight. Sky looked clear. Rotated [and] climb to about 70'. Then engulfed in fog. ... Turned right to make open field to north of AXA. Could not see anything at this time. Cut power, leveled wings, [and] tried to just hold that attitude to reduce impact. Hit slightly nose down [attitude]. Skidded, then flipped over." The pilot checked the AXA Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). He stated that AWOS indicated clear weather before the flight. At 1915, the recorded weather was: Wind 310 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 7 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature -15 degrees C; Dew point -18 degrees C; altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury. At 1935, the recorded weather was: Wind 310 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 1/4 statute mile; present weather light snow; sky condition overcast 100 feet, temperature -14 degrees C; dew point -18 degrees C; altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's inadvertent flight into unexpected instrument conditions and his visual look out not possible during takeoff leading to the nose over during the emergency landing after takeoff. Factors were the unexpected fog and the dark night conditions.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 12/20/2005
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 1938
Event Time Zone Central Standard Time
Event City Algona
Event State IOWA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 50511
Event Date Year 2005
Event Date Month 12
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 430440N
Event Location Longitude 0941619W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport --
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1935 Central Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID AXA
Elevation of weather observation facility 1219
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation CST
Lighting Conditions Night/Dark
Lowest Ceiling Height 100
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions --
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling Overcast
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 0.25
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) -14
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -18
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 310
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 3
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.22
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report KAXA 210135Z AUTO 31003KT 1/4SM -SN OVC001 M14/M18
Event Highest Injury Minor
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 2
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 19325
NTSB Notification Source FAA
NTSB Notification Date Dec 20 2005 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Mar 28 2006 1:55PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\JOHB
Basic weather conditions Instrument Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Des Moines, IA, FSDO

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N9292U
NTSB Number CHI06CA046
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cessna
Aircraft Model 150M
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 15078242
Certified Max Gross Weight 1600
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Dec 1 2005 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 2.3
Airframe Hours 6625.9
ELT Installed --
ELT Activated --
ELT Aided Location of Event Site --
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name James A. Kohlhaas
Aircraft Owner Street Address 1812 East Maple Street
Aircraft Owner City Algona
Aircraft Owner State IA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 50511
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board --
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code AXA
Departure City Algona
Departure State IA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1938
Departure Time Zone CST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City --
Destination State --
Destination Country --
Specific Phase of Flight Emergency landing after takeoff
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 9 2006 11:49AM
User who most recently changed record DINC
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location --
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --