# NTSB MKC87FA077: Cessna 150-H, N50223, Council Bluffs, IA, April 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1987, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Council Bluffs, IA
- Coordinates: 41.240734, -95.84925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2407&lon=-95.8492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34284/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACQUAINTANCES STATED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT WAS VERY MOTIVATED IN THE PURSUIT OF HIS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE AND THAT, ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO HIS INSTRUCTOR-PILOT, WHO ALSO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT, THE STUDENT ACCOMPLISHED A SUCCESSFUL FIRST SOLO FLIGHT AND TAXIED BACK FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. AFTER A SHORT DEBRIEFING AND DISCUSSION WITH HIS INSTRUCTOR THE STUDENT TAXIED BACK TO THE RUNWAY AND MADE A NORMAL TAKE-OFF, CLIMBOUT, AND CLOSED-CIRCUIT TRAFFIC PATTERN. DURING FINAL APPROACH, OTHER WITNESSES STATED, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN INCREASING THE PITCH ATTITUDE AND LOSING ALTITUDE WITHOUT ANY SUBSTANTIAL INPUT IN POWER. THE STUDENT SUDDENLY BROKE OFF THE APPROACH WHILE OVER THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND PROCEEDED IN AN ERRATIC, NOSE-HIGH, LEFT TURN MANEUVER BACK TO THE AIRPORT. HE CONTINUED IN THIS CONFIGURATION UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO LOSE CONTROL IN A STALL-SPIN THEN PLUMMET, NOSE FIRST TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50223](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50223-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 15069148, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150-H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069148
- Airframe hours: 1943
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Council Bluffs Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: George H. Cunningham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1987, 100 hours before
- Airport: CBF, Council Bluiffs

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14 total, 14 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 7 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 19870412079629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870412079629A), Apr 12, 1987: Cessna 150H, Council Bluffs, IA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aborted landing in a nose high turn without adding power. Stalled and spun in. Autopsy shows severe stomach problem

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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