# NTSB CHI90LA218: Cessna 150, N11284, Brighton, MI, August 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1990, 18:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Brighton, MI
- Coordinates: 42.529308, -83.780807 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5293&lon=-83.7808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 6, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA218

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - induction air control,intake manifold - cracked (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - worn (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE CFI AND PROSPECTIVE STUDENT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT FOR AN INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT. THE CFI STATED THAT AS THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 400 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN QUIT. HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH A SUITABLE LANDING SITE, AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN AREA OF TREES. A POST-ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN-UP WAS PERFORMED. INITIALLY THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH, AND CONTINUAL PUMPING OF THE THROTTLE WAS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN OPERATION. FURTHER TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A CRACK IN THE #3 CYLINDER INTAKE ELBOW, A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF CONTAMINATION IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL, AND A LOOSE DISTRIBUTOR FINGER GEAR IN THE RIGHT MAGNETO. THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 69 AND 49 DEG RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11284](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11284-1993-03-04), registration cancelled 1993-03-04, S/N 15075298 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075298
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patrick W. Bergmann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,305 total, 1,720 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK

## 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 19900807030919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900807030919A), Aug 7, 1990: Cessna 150L, Brighton, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed in trees. Carb icing suspect. Cracked intake. Loose mag gear.

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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