# NTSB CHI87LA207: Cessna 150L, N7502G, Ludington, MI, September 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1987, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Ludington, MI
- Coordinates: 43.949893, -86.439544 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9499&lon=-86.4395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA207

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

DRG THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ACFT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE STUDENT RPRTD THE TAKEOFF ROLL SEEMED NORMAL UNTILROTATION, BUT WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL LIFTED OFF THE RWY, THE ACFT BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT. HE STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION BY 'USING RIGHT RUDDER OR TAPPING THE RIGHT BRAKE,' SO HE REDUCED THE POWER TO 'FULLY OFF AND TRIED TO RIDE HER OUT ON THE GRASS.'  HOWEVER, WHEN THE ACFT CROSSED A SHALLOW DITCH, THE PROP CONTACTED THE GND & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. TIRE MARKS WERE FND ON THE RWY FOR ABOUT 500', THEN THEY CONTD FOR APRX ANOTHER 200' UNTIL THE ACFT NOSED OVER. A POST ACDNT INSPN REVEALED THE BRAKES & WHEELS WERE IN SERVICEABLE COND. ALSO, THE PARKING BRAKE WAS OFF & THE BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. THE PLT RPRTD A QUARTERING X-WIND FM THE NORTHWEST AT 7 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7502G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7502G-1991-02-26), registration cancelled 1991-02-26, S/N 15074672 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074672
- Airframe hours: 2251
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard I. Cooper
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 24, 1986, 20 hours before
- Airport: LDM, Mason County, runway 36, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 74 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 59 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 19870903049069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870903049069A), Sep 3, 1987: Cessna 150L, Ludington, MI, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff as the rotation was attempted. Ran off into a ditch. Skid tire tracks visible.

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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