# NTSB CHI77FA030: Cessna 150J, N51226, Carleton, MI, February 20, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 20, 1977
- Place: Carleton, MI · CARLETON, MI
- Location: 42.0572° N, 83.3898° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Carleton, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0572&lon=-83.3898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI77FA030
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FA030

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0673  77/2/20    CARLETON,MI         CESSNA 150J         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 26, 176
        TIME - 0226                    N51226              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 77 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GRAND HAVEN,MI              DETROIT,MI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
           WEATHER - SNOW
           WEATHER - FOG
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST/LOWER SCATTERED                                  4000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      23
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLT HAD TWO DRINKS BEFORE FLT. PLT STATED HE LOST SIGHT OF GROUND ENROUTE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51226](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51226-1977-08-03), registration cancelled 1977-08-03, S/N 15069851 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19770220010879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770220010879A), Feb 20, 1977: Cessna 150J, Carleton, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Plt had two drinks before flt. Plt stated he lost sight of ground enroute.

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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