# NTSB CHI82DA101: Cessna 150, N9239U, West Chicago, IL, March 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1982, 20:55 local (Mar 25, 1982, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: West Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.770622, -88.360404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7706&lon=-88.3604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA101

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- Abrupt maneuver, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT AND AN INSTRUCTOR HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN THIS AIRCRAFT TO RECERTIFY THE STUDENT FOR SOLO FLIGHT. AFTER THE DUAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT HAD SOME PROBLEM WITH OBTAINING FUEL AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT REFUELING. WHILE FLYING AT NIGHT, THE STUDENT BECAME LOST. WITH THE HELP FROM ANOTHER PILOT, CONTACT WAS MADE WITH A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION (FSS). THE FSS WAS PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. WHILE ATTEMPTING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT, THE STUDENT TURNED TO AVOID TREES, THEN ATTEMPTED TO PULL UP TO AVOID TELEPHONE WIRES. HOWEVER, THE PLANE STALLED AND CAME TO REST IN THE WIRES AND AGAINST A TELEPHONE POLE WITH ONE WING TOUCHING THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9239U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078
- Airframe hours: 2293
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Exe Richard Johnson
- Registered owner: Exe Richard Johnson
- Departed: AURORA, IL
- Destination: AURORA, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 88 total, 81 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 108 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820324005649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820324005649A), Mar 24, 1982: Cessna 150M, West Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost at night, ran out of fuel on vectors to airport. Landed in powerline. Unable to hold headings.

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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