# NTSB CHI86LA063: Cessna 150H, N50255, Charlotte, MI, January 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1986, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte, MI
- Coordinates: 42.559818, -84.829025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5598&lon=-84.8290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA063

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - improper, dual student (cause)
  - judgment - poor, dual student (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS PERFORMING A PRACTICE APPROACH TO AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A FROZEN, SNOW COVERED LAKE. AFTER HE HAD FLOWN TO AN ALTITUDE LOW OVER THE LAKE THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS. AT THIS POINT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A RIDGE OF SNOW AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE LAKE. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT SOONER. HE ALSO STATED THAT HAD THE APPROACH BEEN FLOWN CLOSER TO THE EDGE OF THE LAKE, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO JUDGE HIS HEIGHT ABOVE THE SNOW BETTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50255](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50255), registered now, S/N 15069170, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069170
- Airframe hours: 3554
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Steven P. Dionise
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1985, 12 hours before
- Departed: 07G, CHARLOTTE, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 810 total, 375 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °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 19860108000619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860108000619A), Jan 8, 1986: Cessna 150H, Charlotte, MI, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a snow covered lake during forced landing practice. Instructor lost depth perception over lake.

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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