# NTSB CHI97LA276: Cessna 150J, N60200, Romeo, MI, August 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 1997, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Romeo, MI - Coordinates: 42.850154, -83.039611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8502&lon=-83.0396&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10687/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA276 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor ice and loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: carburetor icing conditions, and the crop (corn) in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that when he was turning final for landing, a complete power loss occurred. Also, he said that trees on the approach prevented him from landing on the runway. Subsequently, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a corn field. At the time of the accident, visibility was restricted by fog. About thirty minutes after the accident, at an airport 20 miles to the west-southwest of the accident site, the temperature/dew point spread was one degree (62F/61F). According to an icing 'probability' chart, conditions were conducive for carburetor ice. The pilot said he thought he had used the carburetor heat during the flight, but was unable to recall the position of the carburetor heat at the time the engine suffered the loss of power. An examination of the airplane after the accident failed to reveal any preexisting anomalies. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 1997, at 0815 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N60200, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a corn field near Romeo, Michigan. The pilot said that when he was turning final for landing to the south at the Romeo Airport, the engine suffered a complete power loss and that trees on the approach prevented landing on the runway. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. Visibility was restricted in the area due to fog; however, exact conditions at the accident site were not reported. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed a private airport in Shelby Township, Michigan, about 0800. The nearest weather reporting station was 20 miles to the west-southwest. Thirty minutes prior to the accident that reporting station was reporting visibility restricted to two and one half miles in fog. The temperature/dew point spread was one degree (62F/61F). An icing "probability" chart is attached as an addendum to this report. The temperature and dew point calculations fall within the potential icing range for the float type carburetor on the accident airplane. The pilot said that he thought that he had used the carburetor heat during the flight, but was unable to recall the position of the carburetor heat at the time the engine suffered the loss of power. An inspection of the airplane and engine after the accident failed to reveal any preexisting mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60200](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60200-2007-08-28), registration cancelled 2007-08-28, S/N 15070141, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15070141 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John C. St. Clair - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1997 - Departed: NONE, SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI - Destination: D98, MI - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 350 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KPT, 20 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 19970831039909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970831039909A), Aug 31, 1997: Cessna 150J, Romeo, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit turning downwind. Made forced landing. (-23) pilot and one non-flying pilot departed kuntsman airport (private) located 3 miles south of Romeo… 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.