# NTSB CHI88FA056: Cessna 150M, N9458U, Norwalk, WI, January 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1988, 18:45 local (Jan 31, 1988, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Norwalk, WI
- Coordinates: 43.829097, -90.620719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8291&lon=-90.6207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA056

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO THE FSS AND OBTAINED WEATHER BRIEFINGS FOR REPORTED AND FORECAST IFR CONDITIONS ALONG HIS PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. AFTER DEPARTURE FROM SPARTA, WISCONSIN IN WEATHER DESCRIBED BY WITNESSES TO BE BELOW VMC, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A FIELD APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT ON THE APPROXIMATE COURSE TO HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT AT AN ELEVATION OF 1400 FEET MSL. THE ELEVATION OF THE AIRPORT DEPARTED IS 811 FEET MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9458U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9458U-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 15078406, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078406
- Airframe hours: 3114
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark H. Pederson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1987, 55 hours before
- Departed: D74, SPARTA, WI
- Destination: MSN, MADISON, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 179 total, 175 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LSE, 68 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 19880130002809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880130002809A), Jan 30, 1988: Cessna 150M, Norwalk, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control and crashed while in IMC en route. Was advised VFR not recommended. Prior violation for operating IFR.

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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