Cessna 150 accident near Woodstock, Georgia, November 4, 2018
On November 4, 2018 at about 2:33 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 150, registered N3515J, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Woodstock, Georgia (Air Acres airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 4, 2018 · about 2:33 pm local time
- Place
- Woodstock, Georgia · Air Acres · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 E, built 1965 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N3515J · no longer on the register · serial 15061215
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot and student pilot passenger were departing on a local personal flight from a 2,000-ft-long turf runway. The passenger reported that the airplane seemed to "struggle to climb" after clearing trees near the end of the runway. He heard the stall warning horn activate, and the airplane descended into trees and impacted the ground. Witnesses reported that the airplane "wobbled" as it climbed and that the right wing dropped before the airplane crashed into the woods. Although the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed about 8 years before the accident, examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of a preaccident malfunction or anomaly. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed no current flight review or recent flight experience, and the pilot did not hold a current medical certificate. Reported wind conditions at a nearby airport indicated that a quartering tailwind may have been present about the time of the accident, with gusts up to 20 knots. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain airspeed during the initial climb in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall, and loss of control.
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 initial climb defining event
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Recent experience › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 877 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 30 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,586 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 17, 2010; 61 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,601 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 2,586 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5GA4 Woodstock GA at 2:33 pm
- Destination: 5GA4 Woodstock GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observation at 2:48 pm from KRYY, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on March 19, 2020. 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 | Passenger's Written Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement C Carpenter | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statement K Carpenter | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpt - Airframe Logbook | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Excerpt - Engine Logbook | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Weather Data | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Wreckage Diagram | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | NTSB Memo for Record - Wreckage Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.