In June 2016, a Cessna 150F taking off from a grass strip in Indiana failed to climb, struck trees and crashed, killing both occupants. A single witness, himself a pilot, who was operating a mower, observed parts of the takeoff. He reported that the Cessna had become airborne at midfield, which was normal, and that when it crossed the departure end it was flying at a high angle of attack. He did not expect the airplane to have any trouble clearing the tall trees 1,100 feet from the end of the runway, however, and turned away. When he later saw smoke rising from the woods, he assumed the property owner was burning something, and it did not occur to him there had been an accident until he heard sirens.
The pilot, 44, was a novice. On his application for a third-class medical, four months before the accident, he reported 60 hours of total time, 25 in the previous six months. According to press reports, he had bought the 150 late in 2015.
