Cessna 150J accident near Brookfield, Wisconsin, September 22, 2014
On September 22, 2014 at about 10:08 am local time, a 1968 Cessna 150J, registered N50889, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Brookfield, Wisconsin (Capitol Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate maintenance and preflight of the airplane which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2014 · about 10:08 am local time
- Place
- Brookfield, Wisconsin · Capitol Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150J, built 1968 · all 150Js on the register
- Registration
- N50889 · no longer on the register · serial 15069621
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during an enroute climb to cruise. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field where the airplane struck trees and sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that he forgot to add engine oil during an oil change he performed on the airplane before the accident flight. He said he forgot to add the oil because he was rushed and had personal activities to perform. Examination of the airplane confirmed engine oil starvation. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no other mechanical anomalies that would have precluded airplane operation. The pilot held a private pilot certificate and a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Aircraft inspection event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Not installed/available
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,054 hours in all; 1,048 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 19, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,874 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 21, 2013
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 2,892 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 02C Brookfield WI at 11:00 am
- Destination: 02C Brookfield WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 3,010 ft by 44 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 12, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Email of NTSB Accident Report Form to Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Statement of Party Forms | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.