# NTSB CHI86LA144: Cessna 150, N6612G, Columbia City, IN, May 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1986, 20:10 local (May 21, 1986, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Columbia City, IN
- Coordinates: 41.149749, -85.480926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1497&lon=-85.4809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA144

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - ground
  - flare - not attained
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BECOME DISORIENTED AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS LOW FUEL STATE WHEN HE DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE WEATHER WAS DETERIORATING AND IT WAS GETTING DARK ALTHOUGH THE PILOT STATED HE COULD DISTINGUISH THE TREES FROM THE GROUND. HE MADE AN APPROACH TO A DIRT FIELD AND SUBSEQUENTLY FLEW THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED HE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO FLARE BECAUSE HE DID NOT SEE THE GROUND PIOR TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6612G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072112
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Christopher E. Dare
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1985
- Departed: LEX, LEXINGTON, KY
- Destination: 2C7, COLUMBIA CITY, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 165 total, 125 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 13 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 19860520019109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860520019109A), May 20, 1986: Cessna 150L, Columbia City, IN, Substantial damage. VFR pilot elected a precautionary landing due to low fuel and IFR conditions. Impact without flare due to darkness.

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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