Cessna 150M accident near Brodhead, Wisconsin, March 13, 2022
On March 13, 2022 at about 5:40 pm local time, a 1975 Cessna 150M, registered N63246, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Brodhead, Wisconsin (Brodhead airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 1 cylinder’s rocker shaft bosses, which resulted in a forced landing into uneven terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 13, 2022 · about 5:40 pm local time
- Place
- Brodhead, Wisconsin · Brodhead · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M, built 1975 · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N63246 · registry record · serial 15077200
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots reported the engine began to vibrate and lose power while on the downwind leg in the traffic pattern. The pilot in the right seat took control and attempted to conduct a downwind forced landing to the runway, but the airplane’s flight path continued beyond the end of the runway into uneven terrain and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer. Postaccident examination revealed the No. 1 cylinder rocker shaft bosses were fractured. Further examination of fracture surfaces with a stereomicroscope revealed fatigue crack initiation at and progression from the rocker shaft bore hole. In 1996, based on a history of fatigue cracking of cylinder rocker shaft bosses, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive (AD) that required inspection of the cylinder shaft rocker bosses at the next overhaul or cylinder removal. Since the engine was last overhauled in 1978 and the No. 1 cylinder was last removed 1991, compliance with the AD was not required for the accident airplane’s No. 1 cylinder.
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 (partial) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 190 hours in all; 190 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 20, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 934 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 5, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,832 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 13, 2021; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 1,626 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EFT Monroe WI at 5:45 pm
- Destination: C37 Brodhead WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 2,430 ft by 155 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observation at 12:40 pm from KEFT, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KEFT 131735Z AUTO 28013KT 10SM CLR 06/M04 A2991 RMK AO2 T00571036
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on August 15, 2023. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Statement of Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Maintenance Logs | PDF, 26 pages | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Airworthiness Directive (1996) | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | NTSB Recommendation Letter | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report 23-012 | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Materials Laboratory Attachment 1 - Continental Motors Sb M73-13 | 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.