# NTSB CHI87DEC01: Cessna 150, N5634E, Troy, MI, January 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1987, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MI
- Coordinates: 42.560012, -83.180465 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5600&lon=-83.1805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEC01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEC01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - ice (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 DEGRESS F WHEN THE AIRCRAFT ON INITIAL CLIMB EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT DID COMPLETE APPROXIMATELY 180 TO 190 DEGREES OF TURN BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH A HANGAR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. INVESTIGATION AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED ICE AND WATER ACCUMULATION IN THE FUEL LINES AND FUEL SAMPLES TAKEN FROM AIRCRAFT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5634E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17134
- Airframe hours: 2886
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chris Nielson
- Registered owner: William J. Nielson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1986, 210 hours before
- Airport: 702, Oakland-Troy, runway 27, 3,855 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 512 total, 223 in this make and model, 223 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 5 °F, dew point 12 °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 19870124001059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870124001059A), Jan 24, 1987: Cessna 150, Troy, MI, Destroyed. The engine failed from fuel starvation on takeoff. Fuel drain line was plugged with ice below the fuel value.

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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