# NTSB CHI88LA119: Cessna 150K, N5658G, Gary, IN, May 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1988, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Gary, IN
- Coordinates: 41.570869, -87.259521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5709&lon=-87.2595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14081
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14081/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA119

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON THE RETURN LEG OF A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS FLYING AT 150' ABOVE THE WATER ALONG THE SHORELINE.  THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED FROM THE TASK OF FLYING THE AIRPLANE BY NAVIGATION DUTIES (THE FREQUENCY, AND ADJUSTMENT, AND TUNING OF THE VOR), AND SUFFICIENT VISUAL LOOKOUT WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED AN UNNOTICED GRADUAL DESCENT, STRUCK THE WATER AND SANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5658G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5658G-1989-12-04), registration cancelled 1989-12-04, S/N 15071158 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071158
- Airframe hours: 4462
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wade Palmer Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1988, 55 hours before
- Departed: 3HA, LANSING, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 128 total, 88 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYY, 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 19880527016549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880527016549A), May 27, 1988: Cessna 150K, Gary, IN, Destroyed. Diverted attention to tune radio while flying 150 feet above lake. Aircraft descended unnoticed until water impact.

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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