# NTSB CHI00LA183: Cessna 150L, N11527, Griffith, IN, June 29, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 2000, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Griffith, IN
- Coordinates: 41.519905, -87.419029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5199&lon=-87.4190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA183

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the building during taxi.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he wanted to test his taxi abilities by limiting his usage of the brakes while taxiing.  The pilot reported that during the taxi it was necessary to avoid an uneven area of tarmac and while maneuvering around the uneven area the right wingtip impacted a building.  The pilot stated, "...tryed [tried] to bring back to left with heavy left brake result in right wing tip striking corner of hanger."

## Factual narrative

On June 29, 2000, at 1730 eastern standard time, a Cessna C-150L, N11527, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft collided with a building while taxing at the Griffith-Merrillville Airport, Griffith, Indiana.  The local, personal, flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was not operating on a flight plan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The pilot reported no injures.  The pilot stated that he was returning to the hanger after an engine run-up for mechanical reasons when he impacted the building.

According to the pilot's written statement, he wanted to test his taxi abilities by limiting his usage of the brakes while taxiing.  The pilot reported that during the taxi it was necessary to avoid an uneven area of tarmac and while maneuvering around the uneven area the right wingtip impacted a building.  The pilot stated, "...tryed [tried] to bring back to left with heavy left brake result in right wing tip striking corner of hanger."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11527](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11527), registered now, S/N 15075489, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075489
- Airframe hours: 4643
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Trav Airs Flying Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 2000, 1 hours before
- Departed: 05C
- Airport: 05C, Griffith-Merryville Airpo

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 171 total, 53 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 162 °F, dew point 138 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYY, 6 nm away

## 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 20000629036419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000629036419A), Jun 29, 2000: Cessna 150L, Griffith, IN, No damage. (-23) During taxi back after an unsuccessful magneto check, the aircraft collided with a building. The aircraft's right wing root area sustained substantial…

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.

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