# NTSB CHI89FA113: Cessna 150L, N6878G, Wisc Rapids, WI, June 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 08:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Wisc Rapids, WI
- Coordinates: 44.340938, -89.729682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3409&lon=-89.7297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14256
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14256/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA113

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE FLAPS WERE IN THE UP POSITION DURING TAKEOFF. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - raising of flaps - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN A CESSNA 150 WITHOUT A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED NEAR THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT (ALLOWABLE = 1,600 POUNDS; CALCULATED = 1,594.9 POUNDS). CALCULATED DENSITY ALTITUDE 2,051.8 FEET. A MANEUVER DESCRIBED BY WITNESSES AS A STALL/SPIN WAS OBSERVED AFTER TAKEOFF. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FLAPS WERE AT 18 DEGREES ACCORDING TO JACKSCREW EXTENSION AND CESSNA SPECIFICATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6878G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6878G-1990-07-17), registration cancelled 1990-07-17, S/N 15072378 (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: 15072378
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gross, Kurt R.
- Registered owner: Gross, Kurt R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 27, 1989, 66 hours before
- Airport: ISW, Alexandria Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 227 total, 2 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CWA, 27 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 19890618015909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890618015909A), Jun 18, 1989: Cessna STC150, Wisconsin Rapid, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Unable to clear trees, began steep nose high turn, stalled crashed into trees.

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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