# NTSB CHI87LA120: Cessna 150J, N60023, Detroit, MI, May 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1987, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Detroit, MI
- Coordinates: 42.379665, -83.050376 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3797&lon=-83.0504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA120

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - separation

## Analysis

WHILE ON APPROACH TO DETROIT CITY AIRPORT THE #1 CYLINDER FRACTURED AND SEPARATED RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD APPROX. FOUR MILES WEST OF THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE BROKEN CYLINDER REVEALED THE MODE OF THE FRACTURE WAS FATIGUE. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE LEFT MAIN AND NOSE GEARS WERE BROKEN OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60023](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60023-1992-09-21), registration cancelled 1992-09-21, S/N 15070010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070010
- Airframe hours: 2924
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Spicer, doing business as Spicer Flying Service
- Registered owner: Nighthawk Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 30, 1987, 7 hours before
- Departed: LAN, LANSING, MI
- Destination: DET, DETROIT, MI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,550 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 8,550 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 4 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 19870503012199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870503012199A), May 3, 1987: Cessna 150J, Detroit, MI, Substantial damage. The engine failed on approach and the aircraft landed in an open field. Number 1 cylinder failed from fatigue.

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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