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GAA17CA326

2017-06-04 · Newburyport, Massachusetts, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 2B2

Current FAA registration · N6511S

Make / Model
CESSNA 150H
Engine
CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES (100 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19671001
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A892FD

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's decision to attempt to close the cockpit window during takeoff and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control.

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll the pilot's side window blew open as full power was applied. He added that he "reached over with [his] right hand to close [the] window," but as he did so, the airplane veered off the runway to the left into a wooded area and impacted terrain. The student pilot reported that he had noticed on previous flights that the window latch was loose, and he had planned to get it fixed, but had not done so. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The solo student pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the pilot's side window blew open as full power was applied. He added that he "reached over with [his] right hand to close [the] window," but as he did so, the airplane veered off the runway to the left into a wooded area and impacted terrain. The student pilot reported that he had noticed on previous flights that the window latch was loose and that he had planned to get it fixed but had not done so. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Student/instructed pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Student/instructed pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Inspection-Preflight inspection-Student/instructed pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA326.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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