# NTSB CHI99FA221: Cessna 150, N7983E, Hubbard Lake, MI, July 11, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1999, 15:05 local (19:05 UTC) - Place: Hubbard Lake, MI - Coordinates: 44.799446, -83.590942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7994&lon=-83.5909&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 46775 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99FA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46775/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99FA221 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control after executing the low pass and steep nose up climb. ## Analysis Witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying between 50 and 200 feet above the surface of a lake when it began a steep climb. One witness said the airplane "...went straight up 200 feet from the ground." The witnesses reported that the airplane rolled to the left and descended in a steep nose down attitude until it collided with the ground about 50 feet west of the lake's shoreline. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 11, 1999, at 1505 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N7983E, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the ground and subsequently caught fire following a loss of control in flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Harrisville, Michigan, exact time unknown. WITNESSES One witness reported "On July11, Sunday while sailing my sailboat on Hubbard Lake I observed a small plane flying along the west shoreline, at about tree top altitude. The plane flew over a number of boats as if to buzz them. At this time he was at approx 50 ft. over the lake, he then banked to the east and attempted to gain altitude. I then noticed the plane stall and fall to the south and proceed into a dive and crashed." Another witness reported "I was 50 yards from impact (in lake), plane came from the south 100 feet high, over the water 200 ft from shore. He then went straight up 200 ft from the ground. He then turned left and went straight down nose first. Engine was running." Another witness reported "Pilot was hotdogging out in the front over water he would come too low - and to close - seen many times...." These witness statements and additional witness statements gathered are attached to this factual report. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a Private Pilot Certificate with single engine land rating. He had about 250 hours total flight time and 12 hours in the last 90 days. He had a current biennial flight review. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The aircraft was 1960 manufactured Cessna 150 serial number 17783. The aircraft was equipped with a 100 horsepower Continental O-200-A engine, serial number 62597-5-A. The aircraft had a total time of about 3400 hours. The aircraft and engine had an annual inspection on October 1, 1998. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The reported weather at Alpena, Michigan, about 030 degrees, 16 miles, from Hubbard Lake, Michigan, was clear skies and visibility of 10 miles. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft crashed near the west shore of Hubbard Lake. Damage to the aircraft was in the area of the nose and cabin area and the leading edge of the left wing. The empennage was broken aft of the trailing edge of the wing. The left wing from the tank area into the cabin area was burned. On scene inspection of the aircraft flight controls and engine disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. MEDICAL AND PATOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed by the Forensic Pathology Service of Sparrow Hospital on July 12, 1999. Toxicology performed by the FAA, Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma found no ethanol and no drugs. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to J.B. Auto and Marine on July 13, 1999. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7983E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7983E-2001-04-16), registration cancelled 2001-04-16, S/N 17783 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150) (registry code 2071802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17783 - Airframe hours: 3400 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leslie R. Woods - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1998 - Departed: 5Y0, HARRISVILLE, MI - Destination: HUBBARD LAKE, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; last flight review September 15, 1997; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 248 total, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: APN, 16 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 19990711008649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990711008649A), Jul 11, 1999: Cessna 150, Hubbard Lake, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Acft crashed into a field under unknown circumstances, the pilot/sole occupant suffered fatal injuries, the acft was destroyed. (.19)on July 11, 1999, at 1505… 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.