Cessna 150M accident near Palestine, Illinois, May 12, 2008
On May 12, 2008 at about 11:35 pm local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N66381, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Palestine, Illinois. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's decision to conduct a low-power spiraling descent operation during conditions conducive to carburetor icing, and the weather that was 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
- May 12, 2008 · about 11:35 pm local time
- Place
- Palestine, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N66381 · no longer on the register · serial 15076005
- 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 during flight, at about 2,000 feet mean se level (msl), he was unable to maintain altitude and decided to divert to his home airport. He said that he made a gradual left turn and had descended to 1,000 feet msl when the stall warning horn activated. He stated that he applied full power, but the airplane continued to stall and he attempted to land in a clearing on the other side of a stand of trees. The airplane subsequently hit the trees and the ground during the forced landing. Global positioning system data retrieved from a unit on board the airplane indicated that the airplane began a left-hand spiraling descent about 5 minutes prior to impact. The spiraling descent began at about 1,600 feet msl and consisted of 6 complete left-hand turns that ended at a recorded altitude of about 650 feet msl. The average speed during the descent was about 60 knots and the average descent rate was about 250 feet per minute, indicating a reduced power descent. Further evidence indicated that the nearest residence to the accident site was the home of a relative of the pilot. Analysis of the weather conditions indicated that they were favorable for moderate icing at cruise power settings or serious icing during descent power settings.
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
- Fuel related during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 500 hours in all
- Last flight review: April 20, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,451 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 27, 2007; 31 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DCY Washington IN at 10:58 pm
- Destination: OEA Vincennes IN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 11:25 pm from RSV
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.