# NTSB CHI87LA126: Cessna 150E, N3039J, St. Johns, MI, May 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1987, 14:58 local (18:58 UTC)
- Place: St. Johns, MI
- Coordinates: 42.999588, -84.550903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9996&lon=-84.5509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA126

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE ACFT DURING LANDING AND HE IMMEDIATELY ADDED FULL POWER IN A GO-AROUND ATTEMPT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT THEN STALLED IN TREES AND A FENCE ROW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3039J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3039J-2019-01-16), registration cancelled 2019-01-16, S/N 15061139, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150E
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061139
- Airframe hours: 1950
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rex Burgess
- Registered owner: Rex Burgess
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1986
- Airport: runway 27, 1,400 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 277 total, 4 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 18 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 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 19870509016039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870509016039A), May 9, 1987: Cessna 150E, St Johns, MI, Substantial damage. The aircraft stalled and hit a fence on short final during an attempted go around. Pilot reported severe turbulence

## Other investigations on N3039J (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW66F0363](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0363), Nov 5, 1965: Cessna 150 (N3039J), El Paso, TX, substantial damage

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.
