# NTSB CHI87FA129: Cessna A150K, N8331M, Scotts, MI, May 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1987, 17:19 local (21:19 UTC)
- Place: Scotts, MI
- Coordinates: 42.190341, -85.409866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1903&lon=-85.4099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - buzzing - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN CIRCLING A RESIDENCE AT TREE TOP LEVEL WHEN A WITNESS SAW THE NOSE DROP AND THE ACFT DESCEND STEEPLY TOWARD THE TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A POWER LINE BEFORE GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8331M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8331M-1989-05-23), registration cancelled 1989-05-23, S/N A15000031 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A150K
- Registry model: [Cessna A150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150k) (registry code 2071824) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1500031
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-R 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: F. C. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1986
- Departed: SCOTT, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: right; flight hours: 665 total, 545 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 2 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 19870516013469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870516013469A), May 16, 1987: Cessna STC150, Scotts, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled,crashed and burned after circling at tree level in residential area. Student in left seat. Over gross.

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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