# NTSB CHI98LA158: Cessna 150, N2916J, Griffith, IN, May 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1998, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Griffith, IN - Coordinates: 41.520259, -87.41986 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5203&lon=-87.4199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10882 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10882/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA158 ## Probable cause The aircraft's speed not maintained by the pilot, which resulted in the aircraft stalling in close proximity to the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Nose over, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot stated that was taking off on runway 08 with 20-degrees of flaps and when he was approximately 100' above the runway he released the banner hook out the pilot's window. The pilot stated that shortly after he dropped the hook the aircraft began to sink while the aircraft was in a left turn. The pilot stated that, 'the nose came down and the plane would not fly level.' In an oral statement to the Griffith police, the pilot stated that the aircraft was, 'Mushing, and would not fly.' The pilot stated in his written statement that the aircraft hit the ground nose first, flipped over and came to rest in an inverted position. A witness to the accident stated that the pilot did not utilize all of the available runway for the takeoff and was 'Surprised' with how little runway the aircraft used to become airborne. The witness stated that he saw the aircraft pitch-up before the aircraft descended towards the ground. The witness stated that the hook had freely fallen from the aircraft and that there was no evidence of the hook contacting the ground or surrounding terrain. In a post accident investigation of the aircraft, no anomalies were found with the aircraft controls or engine. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1998, at 1240 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N2916J, piloted by a commercial rated pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted the terrain, following a loss of control during takeoff from runway 08 (4013' x 50', dry, asphalt) at the Griffith-Merrillville Airport, near Griffith, Indiana. The commercial pilot was on the initial climb with the intentions of circling the airport to retrieve a banner on the next pass. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 banner tow flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot stated that was taking off on runway 08 with 20-degrees of flaps and when he was approximately 100' above the runway he released the banner hook out the pilot's window. The pilot stated that shortly after he dropped the hook the aircraft began to sink while the aircraft was in a left turn. The pilot stated that, "the nose came down and the plane would not fly level." In an oral statement to the Griffith police, the pilot stated that the aircraft was, "Mushing, and would not fly." The pilot stated in his written statement that the aircraft hit the ground nose first, flipped over and came to rest in an inverted position. In a telephone conversation with the Investigator In Charge (IIC), a witness to the accident stated that the pilot did not utilize all of the available runway for the takeoff and was "Surprised" with how little runway the aircraft used to become airborne. The witness stated that he saw the aircraft pitch-up before the aircraft descended towards the ground. The witness stated that the hook had freely fallen from the aircraft and that there was no evidence of the hook contacting the ground or surrounding terrain. In a post accident investigation of the aircraft, no anomalies were found with the aircraft controls or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2916J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2916J-2001-03-14), registration cancelled 2001-03-14, S/N 15065716 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15065716 - Airframe hours: 3877 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Aid Air Lines Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1997, 85 hours before - Departed: O5C - Airport: 05C, Griffith-Merrillville, runway 8, 4,013 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VPZ, 18 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 19980521019789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980521019789A), May 21, 1998: Cessna 150G, Griffith, IN, Substantial damage. (.4)On may 21, 1998, at 1240 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N2916J, piloted by a commercial rated pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted the… 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.