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Accidents · NTSB CHI08CA280 · Final report

Cessna 150G accident near Urbana, Ohio, September 10, 2008

On September 10, 2008 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Cessna 150G, registered N3899J, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Urbana, Ohio (Grimes Field 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

A loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing to the accident were environmental conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
September 10, 2008 · about 2:30 pm local time
Place
Urbana, Ohio · Grimes Field Airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 150G · all 150Gs on the register
Registration
N3899J · registry record · serial 15065199
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot reported that as she approached the destination airport after a 1-hour cross-country flight, she reduced engine power to approximately 2,300 rpm in order to descend to traffic pattern altitude. During the downwind leg, she further reduced engine power to 2,000 rpm to slow the airplane to for the approach. As she initiated a turn to base leg, she made a final reduction of engine power and activated the carburetor heat. During the turn to base leg, the engine began to lose power. The loss of engine power was reported to be gradual, not instantaneous, occurring over a period of approximately 5 seconds. The engine did not respond to throttle and mixture control movements. The pilot stated that the loss of engine power occurred 700-800 feet above ground level while on base leg. She said that she was worried about stalling the airplane and established a descent to remain above stall speed. The airplane landed in a grassy area about 50 feet short of the runway. Shortly after touchdown the nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to an abrupt stop. The temperature and dew point in the vicinity of the accident site were 17 degrees and 12 degrees Celsius, respectively. Calculations using a carburator icing chart indicate the possibility of moderate carburetor icing at cruise power and serious icing at descent power under the indicated conditions.

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

  1. Fuel related during approach (VFR pattern base)
  2. Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
  3. Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
  4. Landing area undershoot during landing
  5. Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown)

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
  • factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › (general) › Not specified

Pilot

  • Certificate: commercial pilot
  • Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 1,913 hours in all; 455 in this make and model
  • Last flight review: May 17, 2007
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: minor injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 11,955 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, November 30, 2007
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: K3G4 Ashland OH at 1:30 pm
  • Destination: KI74 Urbana OH
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 20, 4,400 ft by 100 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 045° at 2 knots, gusting 4
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
  • Observation at 1:25 pm from OH19, 6 miles away

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers1

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.