# NTSB CHI90DEM08: Cessna 150L, N741MF, Holland, MI, August 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1990, 22:45 local (Aug 7, 1990, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Holland, MI
- Coordinates: 42.769214, -86.099853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7692&lon=-86.0999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEM08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEM08

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS & IMPAIRMENT OF THE PILOT DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command
  - physical impairment(carbon monoxide), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & PSGR DEPD ON A LOCAL FLT AT NIGHT IN CLEAR WX CONDS. AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN OF FLT, THE ACFT CRASHED IN LAKE MICHIGAN, ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE SHORELINE. A WITNESS SAID HE SAW THE LIGHTS OF AN ACFT FLYING AT LOW ALT IN THAT AREA, WHICH HAD DISAPPEARED FROM HIS VIEW. ABOUT 2 DAYS LATER, WRECKAGE OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND IN ABOUT 50' OF WATER. THE PSGR WAS STILL STRAPPED IN THE ACFT. THE PLT'S BODY WAS FOUND ON 8/18/90 AFTER IT HAD WASHED ONTO THE SHORE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT BOTH OCCUPANTS HAD DIED FROM DROWNING. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THE PLT'S BLOOD HAD A CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN (CARBON MONOXIDE) SATURATION OF 21%, WHILE THE PSGR'S BLOOD HAD ONLY A 7% SATURATION LEVEL. (SMOKERS CAN BE EXPECTED TO HAVE A SATURATION LEVEL OF 3% TO 10%.)  NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ELEVATED LEVEL(S) OF CARBON MONOXIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N741MF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N741MF-1993-10-27), registration cancelled 1993-10-27, S/N 15075099 (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: 15075099
- Airframe hours: 4318
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tulip City Air Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1990, 7 hours before
- Departed: C19, HOLLAND, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Observed at: WSO, 28 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 19900806031329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900806031329A), Aug 6, 1990: Cessna 150L, Holland, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed in lake on night local flight. High level carbon monoxide in pilot. Heater checked normal. Darkness factor.

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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