# NTSB CHI84FA107: Cessna 150D, N4361U, Wanatah, IN, February 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1984, 18:20 local (Feb 11, 1984, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Wanatah, IN
- Coordinates: 41.429119, -86.880447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4291&lon=-86.8804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12385/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA107

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, missed approach (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - performed, atc personnel(dep/apch)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 1716 CST, THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT CONTACTED A FSS, REPORTED HE WAS IN THE CLOUDS WITH ABOUT 1 HR OF FUEL ON BOARD & REQUESTED 'VECTOR ME SOMEPLACE.' HE WAS TOLD THAT INDIANAPOLIS WAS VFR, BUT THE PLT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT REACH INDIANAPOLIS & REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE PORTER COUNTY MUNI ARPT AT VALPARAISO. TWO ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO MAKE AN ILS/VOR APCH TO RWY 27. HOWEVER, RADIO CONTACT WITH THE PLT WAS LOST & THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 6 MI WEST OF THE ARPT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST, INVERTED, ABOUT 250 FT FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED ONLY 2 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4361U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4361U-1989-03-03), registration cancelled 1989-03-03, S/N 15060361 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060361
- Airframe hours: 3790
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter A. Babovac
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1983, 100 hours before
- Departed: MWA, MARION, IL
- Destination: 39C, THREE OAKS, MI
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County Muni, runway 27, 6,000 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,312 total, 2,243 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 30 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 19840210003639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840210003639A), Feb 10, 1984: Cessna 150D, Wanatah, IN, Substantial damage. Flew into the ground out of fuel after extensive radar vectoring to airport. No weather brief. Zero visibility.

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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