# NTSB CHI03LA126: Cessna 150L, N1528Q, Cedar Springs, MI, May 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 15, 2003, 12:08 local (16:08 UTC) - Place: Cedar Springs, MI - Coordinates: 43.258335, -85.545829 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2583&lon=-85.5458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cessna Aircraft Company, Federal Aviation Administration, Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57011 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57011/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate glidepath and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor to the accident was the semi-trailer. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - vehicle (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane impacted a truck while on final approach. The pilot reported that he had communicated several times with airport representatives concerning the condition of the turf runway. The pilot was told that the west half of the east/west runway, approximately 1,350 feet, was in a serviceable condition. The remaining east half of the runway was not serviceable due to wet/soft runway conditions. The pilot stated he was attempting a short field landing when the airplane impacted the 11-foot high semi-trailer, which was traveling northbound on a county road that runs adjacent to the airport property. The aircraft subsequently impacted the runway surface approximately 21 feet past the runway threshold, or about 50 feet from the eastern edge of the county road. The runway threshold was approximately 29 feet from the eastern edge of the north/south two-lane road. The road edge was approximately 4 feet above the threshold elevation. An airplane flying a 3-degree glideslope would contact the road prior to reaching the runway threshold. A 28-degree glideslope is necessary to clear an 11-foot obstacle positioned at the eastern edge of the road. The runway arrangement, without a displaced threshold, does not allow for vehicular traffic on the adjacent two-lane county road or for the elevation difference between the runway threshold and the road. As a private use airport, MI73 is not required to comply with FAA or state regulations concerning airport obstacle clearance standards. ## Factual narrative On May 15, 2003, at 1208 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N1528Q, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a semi trailer while on final approach to the east/west runway (2,700 feet by 60 feet, turf) at the North Cedar Airport (MI73), Cedar Springs, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries and his passenger was seriously injured. The flight departed Paul C. Miller Airport (8D4), Sparta, Michigan, at 1200. According to the pilot's written statement, three days prior to the accident, he telephoned a representative of MI73 to ascertain the condition of the runway. The airport representative told the pilot that the east half of the runway was too wet to land on; however, the west half had been drained and was in a serviceable condition. On the day of the accident, the pilot over-flew the runway to verify the runway condition. The pilot then diverted to 8D4 and telephoned a representative of MI73 to clarify the runway condition. The airport representative told the pilot the west half of the runway was dry; however, the middle portion of the east half was still wet. The pilot reported he departed 8D4 and flew back to MI73. The pilot stated he "entered a left base, and set up for a short field landing with 20 [degrees] flaps. Then, when I turned final, went to full flaps and carried a little power to maintain 65 mph until I had my location picked out to flare, which was right at the end of the runway. I had just closed the throttle when I heard my wife say, 'Truck!'" The pilot stated the main landing gear impacted the truck and the aircraft "nose pitched over quickly. I saw the ground coming. I remember seeing the ground at impact, as the plane hit about 15 to 20 [degrees] short of vertical." The aircraft impacted an 11-foot high semi-trailer traveling northbound on a county road that runs adjacent to the airport property. The aircraft subsequently impacted the runway surface approximately 21 feet past the runway threshold, or about 50 feet from the eastern edge of the county road. The runway threshold was approximately 29 feet from the eastern edge of the north/south two-lane road. The road edge was approximately 4 feet above the threshold elevation. Diagrams that illustrate the position and proximity of the runway to the county road are included with the docket material associated with this factual report. Several descent profiles were calculated using the position of the runway threshold in reference to the eastern edge of the two-lane county road, resulting in the following: (1) An airplane flying a 3-degree glideslope would contact the road surface prior to reaching the runway threshold. (2) A 28-degree glideslope is necessary to clear an 11-foot obstacle positioned at the eastern edge of the road. MI73 is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a private use airport and permission from airport management is required before landing at the facility. As a private use airport, MI73 is not required to comply with FAA or state regulations concerning airport obstacle clearance standards. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1528Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1528Q-2012-06-27), registration cancelled 2012-06-27, S/N 15072828, built 1971 (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: 15072828 - Airframe hours: 4655 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2003, 2 hours before - Departed: 8D4, Sparta, MI - Destination: MI73, Cedar Springs, MI - Airport: MI73, North Cedar Airport, runway 07, 2,700 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 19, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,733 total, 201 in this make and model, 1,682 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 9 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: GRR, 23 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 20030515009339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030515009339A), May 15, 2003: Cessna 150L, Cedar Springs, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted landing on private grass airstrip, with public road approximately 20 foot away from approach end of runway threshold. Pilot stated that… ## Other investigations on N1528Q (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 CHI76FEC26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEC26), Feb 12, 1976: Cessna 150L (N1528Q), Westland, MI, substantial damage 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.