# NTSB CHI96LA304: Cessna 150M, N9352U, Traverse City, MI, August 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 1996, 09:54 local (13:54 UTC) - Place: Traverse City, MI - Coordinates: 44.759624, -85.700088 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7596&lon=-85.7001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10368 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10368/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA304 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, to maintaining proper spacing from the Cessna 150M, N9352U. A factor relating to this accident was the Cessna 180 pilot's diverted attention. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, to maintaining proper spacing from the Cessna 150M, N9352U. A factor relating to this accident was the Cessna 180 pilot's diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), standing - engine(s) operating - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - diverted attention, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of the Cessna 150M, N9352U, was sitting at the end of the runway when 'the other aircraft (a tail dragger) ran into the (left) wing with its propeller.' The pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, stated that he was taxing west from his hangar onto the taxiway which lead to the north end of runway 18 when he called the tower for takeoff instructions. He stated he was looking to the left and thinking about the takeoff while he was talking. The next thing he recalled was a loud metallic crunch and 'I had hit another airplane on the taxiway.' ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of the Cessna 150M, N9352U, was sitting at the end of the runway when 'the other aircraft (a tail dragger) ran into the (left) wing with its propeller.' The pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, stated that he was taxing west from his hangar onto the taxiway which lead to the north end of runway 18 when he called the tower for takeoff instructions. He stated he was looking to the left and thinking about the takeoff while he was talking. The next thing he recalled was a loud metallic crunch and 'I had hit another airplane on the taxiway.' ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) See Narrative CHI-96-L-A304A ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On August 17, 1996, at 0954 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 150M, N9352U, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when while standing at the end of the runway preparing for takeoff, it was struck by a taxiing Cessna 180, N2406C. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Both airplanes were being used for personal flights conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Neither pilot had filed a flight plan. The Cessna 150M, N9352U, sustained substantial damage and Cessna 180, N2406C, sustained minor damage. Neither pilot reported any injuries. According to the pilot of the Cessna 150M's written statement, he was sitting at the end of runway 18 at Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City, Michigan, performing his pre-takeoff engine run-up when "the other aircraft (a tail dragger) ran into the (left) wing with its propeller." According to the written statement of the pilot of the Cessna 180, "I was taxiing out from my hangar in the north T-hangars at Cherry Capital Airport onto the taxiway which leads to the north end of runway 18. I continued taxiing to the west and called the tower for takeoff instructions. At this time, I suppose I was looking to the left and thinking about the takeoff on runway 18 while I was talking. The next thing I knew was a loud metallic crunch. I had hit another airplane on the taxiway." Two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the two airplanes at the Cherry Capital Airport. The outboard two feet of the left wing of the Cessna 150M, including the wingtip was separated. The next six feet of wing skin and the spar was crinkled and bent back. Two propeller strikes were observed in the underside of the left wing skin approximately six inches apart. The left aileron was bent upward. The Cessna 180 sustained minor damage to both propeller blades. No other anomalies were found with either airplane. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N9352U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9352U-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N 15078301, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - 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: 15078301 - Airframe hours: 4360 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cherry Capital Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1996, 52 hours before - Departed: TVC - Airport: TVC, Cherry Capital, runway 18, 5,108 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N2406C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2406C), registered now, S/N 30706, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30706 - Engines: Continental O-470 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Photair, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1996, 121 hours before - Departed: TVC - Airport: TVC, Cherry Capital, runway 18, 5,108 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N9352U; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 5 in this make and model, 165 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft N2406C; age 74; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4,344 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TVC, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960817028622A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960817028622A), Aug 17, 1996: Cessna 150M, Traverse City, MI, Substantial damage. On runup pad wing was struck by prop off N2406C that was taxiing to pad. Had failed to s turn to see beyond nose. (-23) aircraft was in runup area for runway… - [Accident 19960817028621A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960817028621A), Aug 17, 1996: Cessna 180, Traverse City, MI, Minor damage. Taxiing to runway 18 collided with wing of N9352U that was in runup area checking engine prior departure. (-23) pilot of C180 taxiied out to runup area for rwy… 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.