Cessna 150 accident near Trinity, North Carolina, May 30, 1989
On May 30, 1989 at about 9:55 pm local time, a Cessna 150, registered N1115T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Trinity, North Carolina (Quiet Acres airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOTS FAILURE TO SELECT A SUITABLE TAKEOFF AREA BASED ON THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 1989 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Trinity, North Carolina · Quiet Acres · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N1115T · registry record · serial 150-61803
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A VISUAL DEPARTURE FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHICH WENT DOWNHILL FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 1,000 FEET AND UPHILL FOR THE SECOND HALF. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB AFTER LIFTOFF AND THE AIRSPEED BEGAN TO DROP. THE PILOT ELECTED TO CRASH LAND IN TREES WHEN THE AIRSPEED REACHED ABOUT 40 MPH. THE O.A.T. WAS 88 DEGREES. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 2800 FEET.
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: student
- Flight time: 23 hours in all; 23 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,400 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 2,000 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.