# NTSB CHI95LA101: Cessna 150, N63671, Ann Arbor, MI, March 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1995, 19:13 local (Mar 15, 1995, 00:13 UTC)
- Place: Ann Arbor, MI
- Location: 42.2229° N, 83.7457° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ANN ARBOR MUNI (ARB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2229&lon=-83.7457&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA101

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the aborted landing.  Factors associated with the accident were the airport sign and the night lighting conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED SHE MISJUDGED THE FLARE DUE TO THE NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS AND THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED DURING THE LANDING.  THE PILOT INITIATED AN ABORTED LANDING AND UPON POWER APPLICATION, THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY WHERE THE ELEVATOR CONTACTED AN AIRPORT SIGN.

## Factual narrative

On March 14, 1994, at 1913 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N63671, flown by a private pilot collided with an airport sign during an attempted aborted landing on runway 24 at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating under a flight plan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The flight originated from Ann Arbor, Michigan, at 1830 eastern standard time.

The pilot stated the airplane was slightly low on final approach with 20 degrees of flaps so she added power.  She stated that she misjudged the height above the runway due to the night lighting conditions and flared the airplane too high.  She then decided to abort the landing.  She stated that when she added full power, the airplane headed off the left side of the runway.  The left elevator contacted a "Do Not Enter" sign on a service road located approximately 35 yards from the runways centerline.  The pilot landed the airplane in the soft terrain without further incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63671](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63671), registered now, S/N 15077472, 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: 15077472
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenley R. Lee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: ARB
- Destination: ARB
- Airport: ARB, Ann Arbor Municipal, runway 24, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARB

## 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 19950314006719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950314006719A), Mar 14, 1995: Cessna 150M, Ann Arbor, MI, Substantial damage. Misjudged flair on night landing. Bounced porpoised. Tried go around. Exited runway. Elevator struck a sign. (-23) pilot stated nothing was wrong with…

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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