# NTSB CHI82DA139: Cessna 150M, N45476, Cortland, OH, April 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1982, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Cortland, OH
- Coordinates: 41.229457, -80.80931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2295&lon=-80.8093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH WITH FLAPS AT 40 DEGREES AND WITH AN AIRSPEED OF 60 MPH. THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A HIGH TENSION WIRE FORCING THE NOSE DOWN INTO A RAIL AIRPORT FENCE. THE WEATHER INFORMATION FOR DENMAN FIELD WAS OBTAINED BY THE PILOT FROM THE YOUNGSTOWN ATIS WHICH STATED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 230 DEGREES AT 10 TO 12 GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45476](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45476-2011-03-22), registration cancelled 2011-03-22, S/N 15076944, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076944
- Airframe hours: 460
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick Ruddy Sr.
- Registered owner: Patrick Ruddy Sr.
- Departed: WARREN, OH
- Destination: CORTLAND, OH
- Airport: YNG, Denman, runway 18, 2,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 155 total, 155 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F

## 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 19820425015099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820425015099A), Apr 25, 1982: Cessna 150M, Cortland, OH, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck wires during final approach for landing. Pilot claims wind gust caused accident.

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.
