# NTSB MKC86LA054: Cessna 150, N7595U, Bancroft, IA, January 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1986, 22:30 local (Jan 24, 1986, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Bancroft, IA
- Coordinates: 43.290866, -94.2098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2909&lon=-94.2098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA054

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED ON A NIGHT, VFR FLT AND LANDED AT AN ARPT TO DETERMINE HIS LOCATION. THE UNATTENDED ARPT DID NOT HAVE A PHONE SO THE PLT TOOKOFF AGAIN ENROUTE TO HIS ORIGINAL DEST. HE BECAME DISORIENTED A SECOND TIME AND, BECAUSE THE ACFT WAS RUNNING LOW ON FUEL, HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A SNOW COVERED FIELD NEAR A SMALL TOWN. THE SNOW WAS DEEP AND CRUSTED AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7595U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7595U), registered now, S/N 15077761, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077761
- Airframe hours: 3054
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Great Lakes Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1985, 36 hours before
- Departed: D40, ST. JAMES, MN
- Destination: SPW, SPENCER, IA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 77 total, 64 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCW, 405 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 19860123001109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860123001109A), Jan 23, 1986: Cessna 150M, Bancroft, IA, Substantial damage. Flipped over after landing in a field. Lost and off course during night flight. Fuel was low.

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.

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