# NTSB CHI93LA279: Cessna 150M, N66155, Bridgman, MI, July 24, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1993, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Bridgman, MI - Coordinates: 41.93996, -86.560142 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9400&lon=-86.5601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9252 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9252/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA279 ## Probable cause the pilot's premature lift-off. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - grass - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF WITH ONE ADULT PASSENGER ABOARD FROM A PRIVATE, 1,800' TURF STRIP. HE SAID HE SAW FULL-RATED POWER ON THE ENGINE TACHOMETER, AND LIFTED OFF ABOUT MID-FIELD. HE THEN LOWERED THE NOSE TO GAIN ADDITIONAL AIRSPEED. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE DID NOT SEEM TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY, AND HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT CLEAR APPROACHING OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES). HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN RIGHT, AWAY FROM THE TREES, BUT THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED. THE PILOT REPORTED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 1993, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150M airplane, N66155, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from Hitchcock Field, Bridgman, Michigan. The private pilot and sole passenger aboard were not injured. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from runway 22, an 1,800' turf strip. He estimated the wind was from approximately 165 degrees at 3-5 knots. The pilot's Pilot/Operator Accident Report states, in part: "I proceeded to far end of runway (NE) for run-up ...then proceeded to take-off under full power. Rotation was achieved prior to mid-field intersection, with lift-off at intersection. Nose was levelled to accumulate more speed. Aircraft was approx. 4-6 feet agl, minimal additional speed was achieved over next 6-8 seconds. During this period, threshold was already getting close, with row of bushes and saplings displaced approx. 15-20 beyond threshold. These ranged in height from approx. 8-20 feet... . With airspeed at around 55 I determined aircraft could neither land straight-on nor clear this varied height obstacles. As I attempted to utilize the "dog-leg right" rough field, the right wing dropped/hit from lack of sufficient power to adjust." The pilot claimed no mechanical failure or malfunction in his report to the NTSB. A telephone interview was conducted with the pilot on September 20, 1993. The pilot recounted the airplane felt sluggish in accelerating, but was developing maximum RPM of 2700. He said the throttle was pushed all the way forward, but stopped approximately one to one and one-half inches from the panel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66155](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66155-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 15075878, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15075878 - Airframe hours: 7960 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: U R Flying Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: U R Flying Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1993, 23 hours before - Airport: Hickcox Field (Pvt), runway 22, 1,800 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 41 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 165° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °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 19930724025459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930724025459A), Jul 24, 1993: Cessna 150M, Bridgeman, MI, Substantial damage. Early liftoff from short grass strip. Unable to climb or gain speed. Turned to avoid obstacles. Wing hit ground. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.