# NTSB CHI98LA212: Cessna 150G, N8450J, Rush City, MN, June 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 1998, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Rush City, MN - Coordinates: 45.679889, -92.959968 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6799&lon=-92.9600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10926 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA212 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10926/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA212 ## Probable cause the pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane during the initial takeoff climb. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inattentiveness at lowering excessive flaps for takeoff. ## 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 - lowering of flaps - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - climb - not possible, pilot in command - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Fire, other ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he 'inadvertently' set the flaps to 20 degrees. He reported flying in ground effect for about 600 feet prior to climbing to an altitude of about 30 feet above the ground. The airplane then stalled, impacted the terrain, and a post impact fire ensued. Inspection of the airplane revealed the flap actuator was extended 4.8 inches which correlates to 29 degrees of flaps being extended. The pilot reported he was used to flying a Piper Cherokee and 'incorrectly thought that just like a Cherokee a 20 degree wing flap [setting] would shorten [the] ground roll.' ## Factual narrative On June 22, 1998, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N8450J, impacted the terrain and was destroyed by fire during an initial takeoff climb from the Rush City Airport, Rush City, Minnesota. The private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight was departing at the time of the accident and was en route to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he did a run up at the end of runway 34, and prior to take off he "inadvertently" set the flaps to 20 degrees. He reported flying in ground effect for about 600 feet prior to climbing to an altitude of about 30 feet above the ground. He reported the airplane then stalled and veered to the left. The airplane impacted the terrain and a post impact fire ensued. A witness to the accident reported seeing the airplane flying at a slow speed with a high angle of attack. The witness reported that it looked to him as if the flaps were extended 40 degrees. He reported the airplane was crabbed about 35 degrees into the wind and the engine was running "fine." He continued to report that airplane stalled, the left wing dropped, and the airplane descended to impact with the terrain. Inspection of the airplane by an Inspector from the Minneapolis Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office revealed the flaps were in the extended position. The flap actuator was measured by a representative of The Cessna Aircraft Company. He reported the flap actuator was extended 4.8 inches which correlates to 29 degrees of flaps being extended. The pilot reported he was used to flying a Piper Cherokee and "incorrectly thought that just like a Cherokee a 20 degree wing flap [setting] would shorten [the] ground roll." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8450J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8450J-2000-05-12), registration cancelled 2000-05-12, S/N 15066350, built 1967 (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: 15066350 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Theodore J. List - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: 54Y - Destination: FSD, SOUIX FALL, SD - Airport: 54Y, Rush City Airport, runway 34, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 50 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CBG, 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 19980622014659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980622014659A), Jun 22, 1998: Cessna 150G, Rush City, MN, Destroyed. Took off flaps down stalled on initial climb. (-23) took off with 30-40 degrees of flap extended. Reached an altitude of approximately 50 feet. The aircraft… 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.