# NTSB CHI97LA089: Cessna 150, N8196S, Petersburg, IN, March 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 1997, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Petersburg, IN - Coordinates: 38.489616, -87.279693 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4896&lon=-87.2797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10532/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. Low altitude flight is a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot was flying at a low altitude above ground level, near a relatives house. The pilot was looking out the window of the airplane when he noticed that the airplane's sink rate had become excessive. Aircraft pitch attitude and power were increased by the pilot in an attempt to miss approaching trees. The airplane settled into the top of the trees. No mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot. Under recommendations for how this accident could have been prevented the pilot wrote 'more altitude/more airspeed.' ## Factual narrative On March 23, 1997 at 1400 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna 150, N8196S, sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted with trees while maneuvering at low altitude near Petersburg, Indiana. The commercial rated pilot was flying near a relatives house, at the time of the accident. The pilot was not injured in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Washington, Indiana, at 1315 est. The pilot reported on the pilot operator accident report, NTSB form 6120.1/2, that he was on a personal flight, when he decided to fly by his relative's house. After the first pass by the house, the pilot reported that he turned the airplane to a west bound heading, and slowed the airplane. The pilot stated that he was looking out the window of the airplane when he noticed that the airplane's sink rate had become excessive. In an attempt to miss approaching trees, the pilot increased the pitch attitude and power on the airplane. Upon reaching the trees, the pilot reported, the airplane settled into the top of the trees. After settling into the trees the airplane pitched over, and the pilot reported that he pulled the throttle back. No mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot. Under recommendations for how this accident could have been prevented the pilot wrote "more altitude/more airspeed." The leading edges of the wings and horizontal were crushed. The right wing strut, cowling, engine mount, and propeller were bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8196S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8196S-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 15061796, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15061796 - Airframe hours: 4794 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald Brothers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1997, 4 hours before - Departed: DCY, WASHINGTON, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,656 total, 423 in this make and model, 1,181 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HNB, 22 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 19970323003429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970323003429A), Mar 23, 1997: Cessna 150F, Peterson, IN, Substantial damage. Aircraft going too slow, stalled, crashed into trees. (-23) on 03/23/97, at approx. 1330 EST, Cessna aircraft CE-150-F, registration N8196S, during a personal… ## Other investigations on N8196S (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 MIA71DKJ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71DKJ11), Jul 18, 1970: Cessna 150 (N8196S), Brundidge, AL, substantial damage 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.