# NTSB CHI94LA229: Cessna 150, N6579G, Watersmeet, MI, July 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1994, 06:45 local (10:45 UTC)
- Place: Watersmeet, MI
- Coordinates: 46.269226, -89.180938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2692&lon=-89.1809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9593/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA229

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, and his inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors associated with the accident were the fog and the trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATES THAT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, HE OBSERVED THE SKY TO BE CLEAR, VISIBILITY WAS GOOD, AND THERE WAS ALMOST NO WIND. HE DID OBSERVE FOR OVER TWO LAKES WHICH ARE LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY, BUT BELIEVED THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKEOFF, CLIMB, AND REMAIN CLEAR OF THE EFFECTED AREA. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED THE FOG, WHICH HAD ROLLED OVER THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED INTO A DESCENDING LEFT TURN AND IMPACTED TREES. NO PREIMPACT ABNORMALITIES WERE REPORTED.

## Factual narrative

On July 13, 1994, at 0645 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N6579G, was destroyed when it struck trees at the end of the runway after takeoff from a private airport in Watersmeet, Michigan.  The commercial pilot and passenger received minor injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in instrument meteorological conditions without flight plan.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that prior to departure he observed the sky to be clear, visibility was good, and there was almost no wind.  He did however, observe fog over two lakes which are located adjacent to the runway, but he believed that he would be able to takeoff, climb, and remain clear of the effected area.  Immediately after takeoff, the airplane entered the fog which had rolled over the field.  At this point, the pilot states he hesitated because he was not prepared to make the transition from visual to instrument flight. During the few seconds that he hesitated, the airplane entered into a descending left turn and impacted trees.

A witness reported that he observed the fog rolling over the runway as the airplane was taking off.  After takeoff, he saw the airplane enter into a left turn just prior to losing sight of it in the fog.

No preimpact mechanical abnormalities with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6579G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6579G-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 15072079, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072079
- Airframe hours: 1140
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Instit. For Basic Life Prin.
- Registered owner: Instit. For Basic Life Prin.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1994, 2 hours before
- Airport: NRC, Northwoods Conference Ctr

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 411 total, 3 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 0.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °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 19940713018429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940713018429A), Jul 13, 1994: Cessna 150L, Watersmeet, MI, Destroyed. Pilot entered fog bank over lake on left side runway. Struck trees on climbout. Beleived could stay out of fog.

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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