# NTSB CHI97LA064: Cessna 150G, N4655X, Dowagiac, MI, February 1, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1997, 16:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Dowagiac, MI
- Coordinates: 41.979324, -86.11074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9793&lon=-86.1107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA064

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.  A factor was the snowbank.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The student pilot was conducting solo touch-and-go landings.  While in the transition from a landing to takeoff, directional control was lost.  The pilot attempted to continue the takeoff; however, the landing gear contacted a snowbank and the airplane nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On February 1, 1997, at 1635 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150G, N4655X, sustained substantial damage during a nose over during takeoff on runway 27 (4700' x 100' dry/asphalt) at Dowagiac, Michigan.  The solo student pilot was conducting touch and go landings when the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a snowbank.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight originated about 1510.

The student pilot said that during the transition from a landing to takeoff, the airplane "veered" left.  He said he then attempted a "soft field" takeoff, in an attempt to get the airplane airborne; however, the landing gear contacted a snowbank and the airplane nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4655X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4655X), registered now, S/N 15064705 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150G
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15064705
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Amundsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 1996
- Departed: C91
- Airport: C91, Dowagiac Municipal, runway 27, 4,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 47 total, 42 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KBE, 16 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 19970201001059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970201001059A), Feb 1, 1997: Cessna 150G, Dowagiac, MI, Substantial damage. Began go around after porpoising landing with carb heat on. Lost control veered into snowbank off edge runway. (-23) the pilot reported that the aircraft…

## Other investigations on N4655X (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 ERA10CA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA218), Apr 4, 2010: Cessna 150G (N4655X), Winter Haven, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing in gusting winds.

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.