Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control during takeoff after he reached to secure a seatbelt that was wedged in the passenger door.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during takeoff, he observed the passenger seatbelt wedged in the right side door and dangling outside the airplane. As he reached to open the door to move the seatbelt inside the cabin, the airplane impacted the runway resulting in substantial damage to the tail section.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA313 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 20, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Greenville, Kentucky
- Nearest airport
- Muhlenberg County Airport (M21)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 150M
- N-number
- N68844
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.