Cessna 150L accident near Cumming, Georgia, May 12, 2006
On May 12, 2006 at about 3:47 pm local time, a Cessna 150L, registered N1715Q, was destroyed in an accident near Cumming, Georgia (Mathis airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to consider the appropriate aircraft performance data prior to takeoff, and his improper use of the wing flaps during takeoff, which resulted in reduced climb performance and an in-flight collision with a residence. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's operation of the airplane at an over gross weight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 2006 · about 3:47 pm local time
- Place
- Cumming, Georgia · Mathis · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150L · all 150Ls on the register
- Registration
- N1715Q · no longer on the register · serial 15073015
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness at the airport stated that on the morning of the accident he had spoken with the pilot for about 10 minutes, and watched as the pilot and passenger conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane. After the preflight inspection, the pilot taxied to the fuel pumps, where he topped off both fuel tanks. The witness reported that the pilot had the flaps extended between "5 and 10 degrees" prior to takeoff. The pilot taxied to runway 21, did an engine run-up, and began the takeoff roll. The witness noted that the takeoff roll was much longer than he expected, and the airplane did not rotate and climb until it reached the end of the runway. He said the airplane was in a climb attitude, and the airspeed appeared to be slow. According to the witness, "the airplane just failed to climb." He watched as the airplane reached an altitude of approximately 50 feet, and appeared that it was not going to clear the hill and trees directly off the end of the runway. The airplane then "drifted to the left through a low spot in the tree cover on the southwest boundary of the airport." Shortly thereafter, the witness heard sounds of emergency vehicles. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office responded to the crash and located the airplane inverted, resting against a house in a residential subdivision, approximately 1/4 mile west of the airport. Inspection of the airplane disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Review of the performance data in the Cessna Owners Manual revealed that at gross weight, at the calculated density altitude of approximately 1,400 feet, the airplane would require approximately 1,539 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle using zero degrees of flaps on a level runway. Zero degrees of flaps is recommended for a short field takeoff, and no performance charts are available for takeoff with 5 or 10 degrees. Weight and balance calculations of the airplane with both occupants and full fuel, disclosed that the airplane was approximately 20 pounds over gross weight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 16,660 hours in all; 16,660 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,992 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2006; 13.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 84A Cumming GA at 3:40 pm
- Destination: 84A Cumming GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 1,550 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 3:50 pm from KLZU, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.