# NTSB CHI90LA059: Cessna 150F, N8575G, Elkhart, IN, January 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1990, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Elkhart, IN
- Coordinates: 41.720272, -85.979492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7203&lon=-85.9795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14615
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14615/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA059

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT,  WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN WINTER OPERATIONS, THE ICY RUNWAY CONDITION, AND THE SNOWBANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT. HE AND THE  PASSENGER, WHO WAS A STUDENT PILOT, RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS PLOWED TO A USABLE WIDTH OF ABOUT 25 FEET & WAS ICY. HE DESCRIBED THE APPROACH AND TOUCHDOWN AS NORMAL AND SMOOTH. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT 'SLID TO THE RIGHT,' ENCOUNTERED A CRUSTY SNOWBANK AND NOSED OVER. NEITHER OF THE PILOTS HAD MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH WINTER FLIGHT OPERATIONS. THE PILOT STATED THAT, GIVEN 'HOW BAD THE RUNWAY WAS...' HE SHOULD NOT HAVE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8575G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8575G), registered now, S/N 15062675 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15062675
- Airframe hours: 4172
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vfr Fliers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Vfr Fliers, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1989, 204 hours before
- Departed: GSH, GOSHEN, IN
- Airport: 3C1, Mishawaka Pilot'S Club, runway 21, 2,600 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 59 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 12 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 19900101000029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900101000029A), Jan 1, 1990: Cessna 150F, Elkhart, IN, Substantial damage. Landed on ice covered runway,slid into unplowed snow on runway side and nosed over. No winter operation experience.

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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