# NTSB CHI85LA245: Cessna 150L, N10239, Griffith, IN, June 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1985, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Griffith, IN
- Coordinates: 41.519702, -87.420539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5197&lon=-87.4205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13105/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA245

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON THE STUDENT'S THIRD APPROACH, HE WAS OBSERVED TO FLARE THE ACFT TOO HIGH. THE ACFT DRIFTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE RWY AND NOSED DOWN UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10239](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10239-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 15074823, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074823
- Airframe hours: 4551
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Griffith Aviation
- Registered owner: Sierra Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: O5C, Griffith, runway 26, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19850622027029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850622027029A), Jun 22, 1985: Cessna 150L, Griffith, IN, Substantial damage. Flared high and landed on nose wheel in gusty winds. Student solo flight. Damage to nose wheel, wingtip, propeller.

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.