# NTSB CHI96LA058: Cessna 150B, N1219Y, Grant, MI, December 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1995, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Grant, MI
- Coordinates: 43.329616, -85.809783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3296&lon=-85.8098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA058

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain and the weak ice-covered runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - airport facilities,taxiway condition - weak ice (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS BACK-TAXIING DOWN RUNWAY 27 FOR TAKEOFF WHEN THE NOSEWHEEL BROKE THROUGH THE ICE ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STOPPED QUICKLY, AND THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE ICE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL AT THE TWO LOWER ENGINE MOUNT ATTACH POINTS AND WHERE THE NOSEWHEEL ATTACHES TO THE ENGINE MOUNT.

## Factual narrative

On December 16, 1995, at 1330 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150B, N1219Y, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when during taxi for takeoff, the airplane's nosewheel cracked through the ice-covered runway.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  A flight plan was not on file.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The local flight was to originate at Grant, Michigan.

The pilot reported that he was back-taxiing down runway 27 at Grant Airport, Michigan, for takeoff when the nosewheel "broke through the ice on the runway."  The pilot estimated that the nosewheel penetrated approximately three to four inches into the ice.  The airplane "stopped quickly."  The propeller struck the ice and the engine continued to operate.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane at Grant Airport, Michigan, reported the metal firewall had bent at the two lower engine mount attach points.  There were ripples found in the firewall metal where the nosewheel attaches to the engine mount.  No other damage to the airplane was found.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1219Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1219Y-2021-07-03), registration cancelled 2021-07-03, S/N 15059619, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150B
- Registry model: [Cessna 150B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150b) (registry code 2071806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150B-59619
- Airframe hours: 3598
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kevin Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1995, 8 hours before
- Departed: O1C
- Airport: 01C, Grant Airport, runway 27, 2,517 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 23 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 19951216041479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951216041479A), Dec 16, 1995: Cessna 150B, Grant, MI, Substantial damage. While back taxiing on iced over grass runway. Nose gear fell thru ice. Over load folded nose gear. Buckled firewall (-23) while back taxiing for takeoff runway…

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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