# NTSB CHI92LA185: Cessna 150H, N22120, Three Rivers, MI, June 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1992, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Three Rivers, MI
- Coordinates: 41.939071, -85.629386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9391&lon=-85.6294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA185

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S SELECTION OF A ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POOR INFLIGHT DECISION MAKING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - door - undetermined
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A CLIMB TO CRUISE FLIGHT, THE LEFT DOOR OPENED.  THE PILOT CLOSED THE DOOR, HOWEVER A FEW SECONDS LATER THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND BOTH DOORS OPENED.  THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO CLOSE BOTH DOORS, HOWEVER A BANGING SOUND CONTINUED.  THE PILOT REPORTED CHECKING THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WHICH HE FOUND INSIDE.  NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.  HE CHOSE AS A LANDING SITE, A ROUGH/UNEVEN PLOWED FIELD.  ON ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22120](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22120-1994-06-29), registration cancelled 1994-06-29, S/N 15068073 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068073
- Airframe hours: 7009
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Conrad, John, doing business as Conrad Aero
- Registered owner: Ruszkowski, Edward A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 6, 1992, 95 hours before
- Destination: IRS, STURGIS, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 117 total, 77 in this make and model, 74 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 32 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 19920621021319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920621021319A), Jun 21, 1992: Cessna 150H, Three Rivers, MI, Substantial damage. Cabin doors opened in flight. Made precautionary landing in rough field. Aircraft capable flight with doors open.

## Other investigations on N22120 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI73DEM32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73DEM32), Dec 14, 1972: Cessna 150 (N22120), Traverse Cty, MI, substantial damage

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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