# NTSB CHI89DET02: Cessna 150H, N50331, Benton Harbor, MI, December 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1988, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Benton Harbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.109611, -86.440628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1096&lon=-86.4406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DET02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DET02

## Probable cause

A MISJUDGED APPROACH DURING THE EXECUTION OF AN EMERGENCY LANDING RESULTING IN AN ENCOUNTER WITH UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS AND FUEL STARVATION DUE TO CONTAMINATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - 1 engine
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

A TOTAL LOSSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING CRUISE FLT AT 2,500 FT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED AND EMERGENCY LANDING IN OPEN FIELD BUT STRUCK SEVERAL SMALL TREES SHORT OF POINT OF INTENDED LANDING. TREE IMPACT SHEARED THE NOSE GEAR AND THE ACFT IMPACTED LEFT WING DOWN IN AN OPEN FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL IN RIGHT TANK, AND 7/8 INCH OF FUEL IN LEFT TANK. A FUEL SAMPLE FROM THE LEFT TANK SUMP CONTAINED WATER AND DIRT. A CARBURETOR SAMPLE CONTAINED WATER AND DIRT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE KNEW HE WAS GETTING LOW ON FUEL AND HAD PLANNED TO REFUEL AT ROSS FIELD, WHICH WAS 3 MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50331](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50331), registered now, S/N 15069233, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069233
- Airframe hours: 5435
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tom Banaszak
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1988, 42 hours before
- Departed: GLR, GAYLORD, MI
- Destination: BEH, BENTON HARBOR, MI
- Airport: BEH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,950 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 1,790 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 19 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 30 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 19881222058449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881222058449A), Dec 22, 1988: Cessna 150H, Benton Harbor, MI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel. Struck blueberry bushes on forced landing. Water and dirt in unusable fuel.

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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