# NTSB CHI94LA331: Cessna 150, N9456U, Winnetka, IL, September 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 16, 1994, 21:10 local (Sep 17, 1994, 02:10 UTC) - Place: Winnetka, IL - Coordinates: 42.100814, -87.740646 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1008&lon=-87.7406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9684 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA331 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9684/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA331 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO AN UNDETERMINED REASON. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - water - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis APPROXIMATELY 35 MILUTES AFTER DEPARTING ON A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AFTER THE PILOT MADE A SLIGHT POWER CHANGE. ALL EFFORTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. BELIEVING HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE SHORELINE OF LAKE MICHIGAN. THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN SHALLOW WATER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION CONSISTED OF AN ENGINE TEARDOWN AND FUEL SYSTEM EXAMINATION. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL OR OTHER ANOMALIES WITH THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE. ## Factual narrative On September 16, 1994, at 2110 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N9456U, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing near Winnetka, Illinois. The airplane came to rest inverted in water approximately 20 feet from the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 local pleasure flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan. In a detailed statement, the pilot reported they departed Palwaukee Airport, Wheeling, Illinois, "after a complete and satisfactory preflight." The pilot stated the engine showed no indications of a problem until after he made a slight power change approximately 35 minutes into the flight. At this time the engine began to sputter. Efforts to correct the problem were unsuccessful. Believing he would not be able to make it to the nearest airport, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing on the beach. The airplane landed in shallow water and came to rest inverted. Postaccident investigation consisted of an engine teardown and fuel system examination. The investigation revealed no mechanical or other anomalies. The airplane log book showed the last inspection was a 100 hour inspection performed on September 9, 1994. The airplane had logged 22 hours since the last inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9456U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9456U-2023-11-30), registration cancelled 2023-11-30, S/N 15078404, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - 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: 15078404 - Airframe hours: 6823 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Palwaukee Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Palwaukee Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1994, 22 hours before - Departed: PWK, PALWAUKEE, IL - Destination: PWK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,496 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,794 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: NBU, 6 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 19940916028279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940916028279A), Sep 16, 1994: Cessna 150M, Winnetka, IL, Substantial damage. Engine sputter on power change. Landed near shore of lake Michigan. Nosed over. No anomalies found. ## Other investigations on N9456U (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 CHI87LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA190), Jul 30, 1987: Cessna 150 (N9456U), Wheeling, IL, 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. --- 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.