# NTSB CHI89FA061: Cessna 150M, N66688, Corunna, MI, March 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1989, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Corunna, MI
- Coordinates: 42.97903, -84.110778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9790&lon=-84.1108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA061

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM A PRACTICE STALL MANEUVER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE PILOT'S VISUAL PERCEPTION OVER SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - stall - intentional
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING STALLS, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DESCENT & COLLIDED WITH SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. NO KNOWN WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE GROUND, BUT A MOTORIST SAW A PLUME OF SNOW. WHEN HE INVESTIGATED THE OCCURRENCE, HE DISCOVERED THE PLANE HAD CRASHED. THE PLT WAS STILL ALIVE & STRAPPED IN THE AIRCRAFT. HE RPRTD TO PARAMEDICS, 'IT WAS MY FAULT, I WAS PRACTICING STALL . . .'  LATER, HE SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66688](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66688-1994-03-25), registration cancelled 1994-03-25, S/N 15076211 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076211
- Airframe hours: 4142
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sabourin, Dennis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 25, 1988, 85 hours before
- Departed: 3DA, FLUSHING, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 23 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 19890322004359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890322004359A), Mar 22, 1989: Cessna 150M, Corunna, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impact wings level slight descent high speed. Practicing stalls said engine quit. Unable restart. No defects found

## Other investigations on N66688 (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 CHI79DEM24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEM24), Jun 28, 1979: Cessna 150M (N66688), St. Charles, MI, 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.

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