Cessna 150 accident near Marshall, Michigan, May 26, 1985
On May 26, 1985 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Cessna 150, registered N18066, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marshall, Michigan (Brooks Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 26, 1985 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Marshall, Michigan · Brooks Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N18066 · no longer on the register · serial 15073768
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT BECAME DISORIENTED AT ONE OF HIS CHECK POINTS ON A X-COUNTY FLT. WITH ASSISTANCE FROM FSS AND APPROACH CONTROL HE ARRIVED AT HIS DESTINATION. THE STUDENT, HOWEVER, SELECTED THE RWY WITH A TAILWIND COMPONENT & WAS UNABLE TO LAND AFTER TWO APPROACHES. THE ENGINE FAILED (FUEL EXHAUSTION) AFTER THE SECOND APPROACH & A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED IN A PLOWED FIELD. THE ACFT NOSED OVER.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 52 hours in all; 52 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 18 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,318 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 23, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 419 Mt. Gilead OH at 1:00 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 10, 3,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:45 pm from AZO, 35 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Other NTSB records under N18066 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.