# NTSB CHI98LA148: Cessna 150K, N5876G, Clarkston, MI, May 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 1998, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Clarkston, MI - Location: 42.7359° N, 83.4188° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clarkston, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7359&lon=-83.4188&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10873 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10873/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA148 ## Probable cause the pilot selected unsuitable terrain on which to make the precautionary landing due to weather. Factors associated with the accident were the fog, low ceiling, poor in-flight planning, the precautionary landing, the loose wet gravel on which the precautionary landing was made, and the trees which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was flying at 3,500 feet over a 'low level' broken cloud layer. When he thought he was near his destination he descended through a hole in the clouds. Once below the clouds the pilot encountered decreasing clouds and visibility. The pilot elected to land the airplane in an open parking area. Upon touchdown the pilot discovered the surface was wet and covered with loose gravel. Unable to stop the airplane he aborted the landing. Once airborne the airplane contacted trees at the end of the parking area. The pilot reported the sky was obscured and visibility was 0 to 1/4 mile due to fog in the area when the accident occurred. He reported he was informed of fog at his destination during the preflight weather briefing, but it was forecast to dissipate prior to his arrival. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 1998, at 0930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150K, N5876G, operated by a private pilot collided with trees and the terrain during a go-around after attempting to land in a parking lot at the Pine Knob Ski Resort in Clarkston, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in instrument meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damage. The flight originated from Michigan City, Indiana, at 0630 eastern standard time. The pilot reported he was en route to the Big Beaver Airport in Troy, Michigan, when the accident occurred. He reported that during his preflight weather briefing he was informed of fog in the area at his destination, but it was forecast to dissipate prior to his estimated time of arrival. The pilot reported that as he neared Jackson, Michigan, "... a low level, broken layer of cloud cover appeared and extended east over the area." He reported that the weather at 3,500 feet above mean sea level was clear. The pilot stated he contacted Detroit Approach Control and was instructed to stay out of the Class-B Airspace. He then decided to continue to his destination using the Jackson and Salem VORs to navigate. He reported that upon reaching an area that he believed was in the vicinity of the Big Beaver Airport, he "... saw the ground through a hole in the clouds. I decided to descend through the cloud cover and continue my course to 3BB below the overcast layer." He reported that after descending through the clouds, he found himself in an area which he recognized as the Pine Knob Resort. He then attempted to proceed below the clouds to his destination only to find himself at tree top level. He reported that at this point he elected to turn around and return to the Pine Knob area where the visibility was a little better. Upon reaching the Pine Knob Resort, the pilot elected to land in an open parking area. He reported that once the airplane touched down he discovered the surface was wet and covered with loose gravel which resulted in "little brake effect." The pilot reported, "I then realized that I could not stop before reaching a ditch and a line of trees at the end of the parking lot. I then opened the throttle and tried to take off again. I lifted off, hit a tree and the next thing I remember was being pulled from the plane." The pilot reported the sky was obscured and visibility was 0 to 1/4 mile due to fog in the area when the accident occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5876G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5876G-2017-05-15), registration cancelled 2017-05-15, S/N 15071376, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150K - Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15071376 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Laporte County Air Service - Registered owner: Hartinger And Lutz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: MGC, MICHIGAN CITY, IN - Destination: 3BB, TROY, MI - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 217 total, 5 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PTK, 6 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 19980512008949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980512008949A), May 12, 1998: Cessna 150K, Clarkston, MI, Substantial damage. Collided with trees during go around from attempted landing in a parking lot. IMC prevailed.. (.4)the pilot was flying at 3,500 feet over a 'low level' broken… 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.