# NTSB CHI87LA090: Cessna 150H, N22793, Hopkins, MI, March 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1987, 10:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Hopkins, MI
- Coordinates: 42.670665, -85.639801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6707&lon=-85.6398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13738/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA090

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT 'EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL' ON DOWNWIND AND BASE, BUT THAT HE EXPERIENCED ROUGH AIR AND 'SIDE TO SIDE MOTION' OF THE ACFT ON FINAL APPROACH TO RWY 27. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE HELD AN AIRSPEED OF 70 MPH WITH 'SOME POWER' UNTIL HE HAD THE RWY 'MADE.' THE PLT STATED THAT HE THEN THROTTLED BACK AND WAS ABOUT 50-60 FEET AGL IN A NORMAL LANDING ATTITUDE WHEN THE ACFT DROPPED 'PROBABLY 25-30 FEET IN A SECOND.' ACCORDING TO THE PLT, A GO-AROUND WAS IMMEDIATELY INITIATED, BUT BEFORE HE COULD RETRACT THE FLAPS THE ACFT GAINED APRX 25-30 FEET AND THE ACFT HEADED TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RWY, TOWARD A SMALL POPLAR TREE. THE PLT STATED THAT WITHIN TWO SECONDS THE PROP STRUCK THE TOP OF THE TREE AND HE THEN NOSED THE ACFT DOWN IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN AIRSPEED AND LAND. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND WITH THE RIGHT WING AND NOSE BEFORE COMING TO REST INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22793](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22793-1989-12-21), registration cancelled 1989-12-21, S/N 15068519 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068519
- Airframe hours: 2720
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Darrel L. Shank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1986
- Airport: runway 27, 1,977 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 178 total, 165 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 18 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 19870307005319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870307005319A), Mar 7, 1987: Cessna 150H, Hopkins, MI, Substantial damage. The plane struck trees during go around and impacted ground. Pilot reported significant downdraft and turbulence.

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.