# NTSB CHI95LA040: Cessna 150, N3875V, Zeeland, MI, November 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1994, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Zeeland, MI
- Coordinates: 42.810081, -86.010978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8101&lon=-86.0110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA040

## Probable cause

the pilot's loss of directional control during touch and go landings.  Factors were the crosswind and the pilot's lack of total experience.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - touch-and-go - attempted, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - berm
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS WITH A RIGHT CROSSWIND WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  AS THE PILOT INCREASED POWER FOR TAKEOFF, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY.  THE NOSEWHEEL STRUCK A DIRT BANK, COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED.

## Factual narrative

On November 11, 1994, at 1130 central standard time (CST), a Cessna 150, N3875V, operated as a rental airplane by Crosswind Aviation, Incorporated of Grandville, Michigan, departed the edge of runway 02 (3,800' x 60') at Ottowa County Airport in Zeeland, Michigan, and received substantial damage.  The pilot was uninjured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed.  The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and had originated from Ottowa County Airport as a local student solo training flight at 1020 CST.

The student pilot was performing touch and go landings with a right crosswind, and was in the process of turning off carburetor heat, retracting wing flaps and increasing engine power.  When power was added, the airplane veered left, departed the runway, struck a dirt bank, and flipped over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3875V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3875V), registered now, S/N 15076643, built 1975 (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: 15076643
- Airframe hours: 4617
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Crosswind Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 3, 1994, 6 hours before
- Airport: Z98, Ottawa Executive Airport, runway 2, 3,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 60 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 19941111040279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941111040279A), Nov 11, 1994: Cessna 150M, Zeeland, MI, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in gusty crosswind. Weather vained into wind. Left runway. Nosed over. Ailerons not used.

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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