# NTSB CHI99LA009: Cessna 150F, N8655S, Muskegon, MI, October 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 1998 - Place: Muskegon, MI - Coordinates: 43.240409, -86.249923 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2404&lon=-86.2499&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45131 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45131/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA009 ## Probable cause poor in-flight planning by an unqualified person which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the swamp in which the forced landing was made. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, unknown - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - poor, unqualified person (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - swampy (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was stolen from the Michigan City Airport, Michigan City, Indiana, between October 4 and October 6, 1998. It was located on October 24, 1998, in a swamp in Muskegon, Michigan. Inspection of the wreckage revealed fuel exhaustion. According to the hobbs meter the airplane was flown four hours after being stolen. A suspect was arrested on December 14, 1998. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 1998, a Cessna 150F, N8655S, was located in a swamp area 6 miles north-northwest of Muskegon, Michigan. The airplane was reported stolen from the Michigan City Municipal Airport, Michigan City, Indiana. The airplane owner stated the airplane was locked and tied down at the Michigan City Airport. He stated he saw the airplane on October 4, 1998, at approximately 1600 est. The owner stated that on October 6, 1998, he drove by the airport around 0800 est, at which time he noticed the airplane was gone. A pick-up truck was found parked next to where the airplane was tied down. N8655S was located in a swamp 1/2 mile south of River Road in the Muskegon State Game area, Muskegon, Michigan. The person flying the airplane was not located in the wreckage. The airplane owner stated the airplane contained 25 gallons. The hobbs time after he last flew the airplane was 1663.7. The hobbs time at the accident site was 1667.7. The wreckage was removed from the swamp. On November 11, 1998, N8655S was examined by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Grand Rapids, Michigan, Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported that there was no sign of fuel present in the airplane. A suspect was arrested on December 14, 1998, and is currently being held in connection with the theft of N8655S. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8655S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8655S-2000-09-05), registration cancelled 2000-09-05, S/N 15061955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15061955 - Airframe hours: 4400 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: John Noga - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1997, 50 hours before - Departed: MICHIGAN CITY, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Not reported ## 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 19981005038899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981005038899A), Oct 5, 1998: Cessna 150F, Muskegon, MI, Substantial damage. Acft was reported stolen on 10/4/98 and was found nose down in the water with its tail broken in a wooded and swampy area. (-23) aircraft crashed 6 miles nw of… ## Other investigations on N8655S (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI71DDW41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DDW41), Apr 8, 1971: Cessna 150 (N8655S), Hillsdale, MI, substantial damage 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.