# NTSB CEN25LA026: Cessna 150, N51046, Willis, MI, October 21, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 21, 2024, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Willis, MI - Coordinates: 42.174056, -83.545532 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1741&lon=-83.5455&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA East Michigan FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195366 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195366/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195366 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA026 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach, that resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent collision with trees. Contributing to the accident, was the pilot’s decision to attempt to land to a closed runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he decided to utilize a known closed runway to land at the airport, due to the wind conditions. During the approach to the dry turf runway, he reported the airplane was “considerably too high and almost certainly too fast.” The pilot deployed full flaps, and the airplane started to descend “steeply” toward the end of the runway. When the airplane touched down on the runway, it bounced, and the airplane departed the runway straight ahead. The airplane crossed a road and impacted several trees next to a home. The airplane came to rest upright, and the pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that during the approach, he should have performed a go-around and established a stabilized approach. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airport/Facility Directory, the runway the pilot selected to use is not listed for use at the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51046](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51046), registered now, S/N 15069726, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (J) - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069726 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 6361.8 - Engines: Continental Motors O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 2022 - Departed: OZW, Howell, MI - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 43G, Belleville - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 626.1 total, 545.8 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KYIP, 4 nm away - METAR: KYIP 211853Z 25013KT 10SM CLR 27/05 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP219 T02670050 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20241021016859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241021016859A), Oct 21, 2024: Cessna 150J, Augusta Twp, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot flew an unstabilized approach, failed to go around, landed long and failed to stop in sufficient distance. Overran the runway and hit trees. Significant… ## Other investigations on N51046 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CHI82FEP01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FEP01), Oct 1, 1981: Cessna 150J (N51046), Waukesha, WI, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 3, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195366. 8.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 6.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17970193&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA026%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Various statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17971077&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Various%20Statements-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17971373&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Belleville airport (43G) - airport information (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17969810&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airport%20Information-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.