# NTSB CHI84LA356: Cessna 150L, N18683, Palmyra, WI, August 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1984, 00:10 local (05:10 UTC)
- Place: Palmyra, WI
- Coordinates: 42.869163, -88.580879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8692&lon=-88.5809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA356
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA356

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT ENTERED LANDING PATTERN AFTER MAINTENANCE FERRY FLT, CHECKED LIGHTED WIND INDICATOR & EVALUATED WIND AS CALM. PLT EXECUTED TIGHT, CLOSE-IN BASE DUE TO ELECTRIC BILLBOARD DRAG FACTOR & NOTED STRONG WIND BLOWING ACFT AWAY FROM RUNWAY. ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE RAPIDLY. PLT APPLIED PWR BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST DESCENT. ACFT TOUCHED DOWN OFF RUNWAY & COLLIDED WITH GROUND OBSTRUCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N18683 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074040
- Airframe hours: 3080
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory Gorak
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 1983, 82 hours before
- Departed: MWC, MILWAUKEE, WI
- Destination: 88C, PALMYRA, WI
- Airport: 88C, Palmyra, runway 9, 2,100 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,754 total, 4,025 in this make and model, 12,484 as pilot in command, 241 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 31 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 19840818041279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840818041279A), Aug 18, 1984: Cessna 150L, Palmyra, WI, Destroyed. Full power did not stop loss of altitude during steep bank turn to base leg. Contacted embankment.

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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