# NTSB CHI89LA116: Cessna 150, N8752S, Port Huron, MI, June 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Huron, MI
- Coordinates: 42.970382, -82.420204 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9704&lon=-82.4202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14370
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14370/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA116

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT.  THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WAS CONSIDERED A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON AN APCH TO LAND & WAS FOLLOWING A JUNKER JU-52 (A GERMAN, WORLD WAR II, TRI-MOTOR, TRANSPORT PLANE). THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THE STUDENT'S ACFT (A CESSNA 150) WAS APRX 1/4 MI BEHIND THE JU-52. THE JU-52 TOUCHED DOWN ON THE FIRST 1/3 OF THE RWY. AS THE CESSNA WAS ABOUT TO LAND, IT WAS AT APRX 20 TO 50 FT AGL, WHEN IT BANKED RAPIDLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THE NOSE PITCHED, & THEN THE PLANE CRASHED. THE STUDENT'S INSTRUCTOR & SOME WITNESSES SUSPECTED THE CESSNA HAD ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE JU-52.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8752S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8752S-1994-06-08), registration cancelled 1994-06-08, S/N 15062052 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15062052
- Airframe hours: 2634
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Phn Air Inc
- Registered owner: Phn Air, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 9, 1989, 68 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Destination: PHN
- Airport: PHN, St Clair County, runway 22, 5,105 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 102 total, 97 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTC, 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 19890618016029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890618016029A), Jun 18, 1989: Cessna 150F, Port Huron, MI, Destroyed. Lost control landing too close behind a yunkers trimotor aircraft. Hit runway nose down.

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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