# NTSB CHI90LA257: Cessna 150F, N3016X, Clutier, IA, September 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1990, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Clutier, IA
- Coordinates: 42.070835, -92.400459 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0708&lon=-92.4005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA257

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND WITH A 90 DEGREE CROSSWIND OF 11 KNOTS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. HE HAD EXECUTED A GO-AROUND ON TWO PREVIOUS APPROACHES TO RUNWAY 31, AND WAS ATTEMPTING HIS FIRST APPROACH TO RUNWAY 13. AS HE GOT THE RIGHT WHEEL ON THE GROUND, A GUST LIFTED THE RIGHT WING. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER TO GO AROUND, AND THE WIND BLEW THE AIRCRAFT TO THE LEFT INTO POWER LINES WHICH PARALLELED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER STRIKING THE POWER LINES THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO AN OPEN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3016X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3016X-1990-10-10), registration cancelled 1990-10-10, S/N 15064416 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-64416
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard E. Merkel, doing business as Merkel Aviation
- Departed: C77, BELVIDERE, IL
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 13, 2,700 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,527 total, 225 in this make and model, 5,447 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CID, 30 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 19900906038539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900906038539A), Sep 6, 1990: Cessna 150F, Clutier, IA, Substantial damage. Drifted downwind into powerline on go around trying to land crosswind on Private strip.

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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