# NTSB CHI95LA005: Cessna 150, N66224, Carbondale, IL, October 5, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1994, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Carbondale, IL
- Coordinates: 37.760334, -89.329605 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7603&lon=-89.3296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA005

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate visual lookout, and improper altitude.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE AND A PASSENGER WERE FLYING OVER A LOCAL LAKE LOOKING AT THE FALL FOLIAGE, WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK AN UNSEEN POWERLINE AND CRASHED INTO THE LAKE. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE FLYING VERY LOW OVER THE LAKE, CLIMB SLIGHTLY AND STRIKE THE POWERLINE. THE HEIGHT OF THE POWERLINE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET ABOVE THE LAKE.

## Factual narrative

On October 5, 1994, about 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 150 airplane, N66224, sustained substantial damage following an in-flight collision with a powerline near Carbondale, Illinois.  The private pilot and the sole passenger aboard reported minor injuries.  The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan.

The pilot reported they were flying over Cedar lake looking at the fall foliage colors when the airplane struck an unseen power line and crashed into Cedar Lake.

Witnesses reported the airplane had been flying at a very low altitude over the lake, appeared to climb slightly and struck the powerline.  The height of the powerline was approximately 50 feet above the lake.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66224](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66224-1995-07-11), registration cancelled 1995-07-11, S/N 15075932 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075932
- Airframe hours: 7646
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George W. Slover
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 16, 1994, 26 hours before
- Departed: PJY, PINCKNEYVILLE, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 265 total, 92 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19941005033379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941005033379A), Oct 5, 1994: Cessna 150M, Carbondale, IL, Substantial damage. Flying low over cedar lake struck unseen powerline. Crashed in lake.

## Other investigations on N66224 (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 MIA7KDLD70](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA7KDLD70), Apr 27, 1975: Cessna 150 (N66224), Lutz, FL, 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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