Cessna 150J accident near Patoka, Indiana, November 17, 1987
On November 17, 1987 at about 4:35 pm local time, a Cessna 150J, registered N86WA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Patoka, Indiana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. 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
- November 17, 1987 · about 4:35 pm local time
- Place
- Patoka, Indiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150J · all 150Js on the register
- Registration
- N86WA · registry record · serial 15070812
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE ENROUTE TO PATOKA AIRPORT FOR FUEL THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT. THE NOSE GEAR OF THE AIRCRAFT BECAME STUCK IN THE GROUND DURING LANDING ROLLOUT, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO FLIP OVER ONTO ITS BACK. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK, THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLOWN APPROXIMATELY 4.1 HOURS SINCE LAST REFUELING.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 273 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 183 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,533 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OEA Vincennnes IN at 7:10 am
- Destination: IN30 Patoka IN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,300 ft; scat at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:48 pm from EVV, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.