Cessna 150 accident near Stehekin, Washington, September 3, 1995
On September 3, 1995 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Cessna 150, registered N4016J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Stehekin, Washington (Stehekin airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 1995 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Stehekin, Washington · Stehekin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N4016J · registry record · serial 15065316
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT TOOK OFF UPSLOPE IN CALM WIND CONDITIONS AT THE TURF AIRSTRIP, WHICH IS SURROUNDED BY TREES. THERE WAS AN OVERRUN AREA AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE 2700 FOOT RUNWAY WHICH HE SELECTED FOR THE TAKEOFF. TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME WAS REPORTED TO BE 85 TO 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LIFTED OFF WITH ABOUT 1200 FEET OF RUNWAY REMAINING AND CLIMBED TO ABOUT 200 FEET. THE STALL WARNING WENT OFF AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN AIRSPEED AS THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE PILOT STATED TO PARK SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT HE COULDN'T GET LIFT OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR THE AIRCRAFT DOES NOT COVER UPSLOPE TAKEOFFS.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 460 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 390 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,350 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 26, 1995; 80 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: 6S9 at 10:00 pm
- Destination: PAE Everett WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 2,700 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°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.