Cessna 150H accident near Muncie, Indiana, June 11, 2021
On June 11, 2021, a 1968 Cessna 150H, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Muncie, Indiana (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on departure in high density altitude conditions which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 2021
- Place
- Muncie, Indiana · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150H, built 1968 · all 150Hs on the register
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial 15068432
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A pilot-rated witness reported that the non-certificated pilot shortly after taking off from a 1,200 ft private grass airstrip, was starting a turn to the north to avoid trees when the airplane “stalled, fell sideways from the sky”, and impacted the ground left wing first, followed by the airplane’s nose and then the right wing. The witness said that the airplane appeared underpowered for the hot and humid weather conditions. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A post-accident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The density altitude at the time of the accident was 3,314 ft. The airstrip elevation was 937 ft.
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
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Flight time: 130 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Runway East, 1,200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KMIE, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMIE 102353Z 09004KT 10SM CLR 31/18 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP099 T03060183 10317 20278 56010
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on July 7, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Examination Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Certification Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.