Cessna 150F accident near Rosedale, Michigan, September 2, 2009
On September 2, 2009 at about 5:10 pm local time, a Cessna 150F, registered N6446F, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Rosedale, Michigan (Rosedale Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground run. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's deteriorated physical and mental capabilities.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 2009 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Rosedale, Michigan · Rosedale Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150F · all 150Fs on the register
- Registration
- N6446F · no longer on the register · serial 15063046
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 84-year-old pilot reported that the airplane did not seem to have enough power to become airborne during the takeoff. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway, where it came to rest after contacting trees and scrub brush. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Neither the pilot nor the airplane had flown during the past 3 years. The pilot did not hold a current medical certificate. The pilot's wife reported that he suffered a fall 3 years ago and that his physical and mental capabilities were such that he should not have been trying to fly the airplane.
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 control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › Predisposing condition › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor 0-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Sault Ste. Marie MI at 5:17 pm
- Destination: PVT Sault Ste. Marie MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from ANJ, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.