Cessna 150M accident near Greene, Iowa, December 31, 2008
On December 31, 2008 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N899CB, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Greene, Iowa. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the rough, snow-covered terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 31, 2008 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Greene, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N899CB · no longer on the register · serial 15076699
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The recently certificated private pilot reduced the engine power setting and descended to an altitude of 800 to 1,000 feet above the ground so the passenger could take aerial photographs of a farm house. The pilot stated that he had the power setting pulled back approximately halfway while they were circling and that the engine seized when he attempted to apply full power to gain altitude. The airplane landed hard during the off-airport forced landing on a snow-covered farm field. The airplane sustained firewall damage when the nose gear collapsed following a 75-foot-long landing roll. The pilot stated that he did not use carburetor heat while circling. Postaccident inspection revealed the engine turned freely when rotated by hand and when the ignition was engaged. Examination of the spark plugs revealed they were black in color from soot.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Snowy/icy › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 61 hours in all; 53 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 22 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 17, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,098 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 17, 2008; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: C25 Waverly IA at 8:15 pm
- Destination: C25 Waverly IA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 9°F (-13°C), dew point -2°F (-19°C)
- Observation at 8:54 pm from ALO, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.