# NTSB CHI89LA090: Cessna 150 L, N7531G, Eureka, MI, May 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1989, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, MI
- Location: 43.1139° N, 84.5192° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at Randolph's Landing Area Airport (61G), closed, within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1139&lon=-84.5192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14352
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14352/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA090

## Probable cause

STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND THE SUBSEQUENT ABORTED TAKEOFF WAS PERFORMED WITH INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - aircraft handling - improper, dual student (cause)
  - rotation - premature, dual student
  - terrain condition - grass
  - aborted takeoff - performed, dual student
  - distance - inadequate (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

DURING A PRE-CHECKRIDE REVIEW FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED TO DEMONSTRATE A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF ON A 1,640' X 100' SOD AIRSTRIP. THE STUDENT PILOT STARTED TO ROTATE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT REACHED 55 MPH AND AN ESTIMATED 3/4 WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY, AND WAS ADVISED BY THE CFI TO WAIT UNTIL 60 MPH WAS ATTAINED BEFORE ROTATION. THE STUDENT PILOT RESPONDED BY ABORTING THE TAKEOFF, REDUCING POWER AND APPLYING BRAKES. THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND APPLIED 'HARD' BRAKES, HOWEVER NEITHER PILOT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7531G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7531G-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 15074689, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074689
- Airframe hours: 2237
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Swanson, Daniel J.
- Registered owner: Swanson, Daniel J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 18, 1989, 47 hours before
- Departed: 61G, EUREKA, MI
- Destination: LAN, LANSING, MI
- Airport: 61G, Randolph, runway 23, 1,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,000 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 20 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 19890516011639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890516011639A), May 16, 1989: Cessna 150L, St Johns, MI, Substantial damage. Student cautioned about rotating too soon, aborted takeoff. CFI took over but ran off end of runway and nosed over.

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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