# NTSB CHI90DEM01: Cessna 150E, N3905U, Grayling, MI, October 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1989, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Grayling, MI
- Coordinates: 44.650123, -84.699157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6501&lon=-84.6992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEM01

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TO LIFTOFF AND FLY DOWN THE RUNWAY IN GROUND EFFECT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A NEAR VERTICAL CLIMB. DURING THE CLIMB, THE AIRCRAFT FELL OFF TO THE LEFT AND DESCENDED TO TERRAIN IMPACT BETWEEN THE TAXIWAY AND RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF EITHER THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. NO PHYSICAL CONDITION WAS FOUND WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE PILOT FROM OPERATING THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3905U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3905U-1990-08-10), registration cancelled 1990-08-10, S/N 15061305 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150E
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061305
- Airframe hours: 2527
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rex B. Lalonde
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1989, 8 hours before
- Destination: FNT, FLINT, MI
- Airport: 55D, Grayling Aaf, runway 32, 4,998 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTL, 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 19891013040219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891013040219A), Oct 13, 1989: Cessna 150E, Grayling, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Gained speed in ground effect on takeoff pulled up vertically stalled dived in. No autopsy report for incapacitation

## Other investigations on N3905U (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 CHI68F0326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0326), Oct 5, 1967: Cessna 150 (N3905U), Pontiac, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.