# NTSB CHI08CA235: Cessna 150L, N16235, Watertown, SD, August 4, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2008, 23:00 local (Aug 4, 2008, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Watertown, SD - Coordinates: 44.913887, -97.154724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9139&lon=-97.1547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Rapid City, SD, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68730/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA235 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain during cruise. Contributing to the accident was the night, the haze, and the tall vegetation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: haze/smoke](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the cross country night flight he began losing altitude while listening to the automated weather service broadcast for the destination airport. He did not notice the altitude loss. The pilot decided to go to an alternate airport, turned for the alternate, and descended during the turn. At that point he noticed the altitude loss, pulled back on the yoke, and impacted a cornfield. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight. The pilot's safety recommendation was "haze is deceptive." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the cross country night flight he began losing altitude while listening to the automated weather service broadcast for the destination airport. He did not notice the altitude loss. The pilot decided to go to an alternate airport, turned for the alternate, and descended during the turn. At that point he noticed the altitude loss, pulled back on the yoke, and impacted a cornfield. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight. The pilot's safety recommendation was "haze is deceptive." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16235](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16235-2008-10-01), registration cancelled 2008-10-01, S/N 15073562, built 1972 (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: 15073562 - Airframe hours: 5331 - Engines: Continental O-200 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mitchell S. Pratt - Registered owner: Katy Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2007 - Departed: MHE, MITCHELL, SD - Destination: ATY, Watertown, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 175 total, 168 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night ## 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 20080803843219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080803843219A), Aug 3, 2008: Cessna 150L, Watertown, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) The accident occurred on August 3, 2008 at 11 p.m. about 12 miles southwest of Watertown, SD. Pilot was flying at night and tried to execute a 180 degree… 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.