# NTSB CHI91LA019: Cessna 150, N7641G, La Crosse, WI, October 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1990, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: La Crosse, WI
- Location: 43.8793° N, 91.2566° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LA CROSSE RGNL (LSE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8793&lon=-91.2566&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14949
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14949/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA019

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING, AND BEING ASKED BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER IF HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT, AND REPLYING YES, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A LIGHT POLE ADJACENT TO THE TRANSIENT PARKING RAMP. THE PVT PLT SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AND BROWN COLORED POST, WITHOUT CAUTION MARKINGS, HE FAILED TO SEE THE POST AND AVOID THE COLLISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7641G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7641G-2017-11-27), registration cancelled 2017-11-27, S/N 15074709, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074709
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mercier, Gerald E.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: Y12, LAKEVILLE, MN
- Airport: LSE, La Crosse

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 388 total, 319 in this make and model, 388 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901030047669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901030047669A), Oct 30, 1990: Cessna 150L, La Crosse, WI, Substantial damage. While turning to park on ramp wing struck a light pole.

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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