Cessna 150M and Cessna 180 accident near Traverse City, Michigan, August 17, 1996
On August 17, 1996 at about 1:54 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 150M (N9352U) and Cessna 180 (N2406C), were involved in the same accident near Traverse City, Michigan (Cherry Capital airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, to maintaining proper spacing from the Cessna 150M, N9352U. A factor relating to this accident was the Cessna 180 pilot's diverted attention.
the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, to maintaining proper spacing from the Cessna 150M, N9352U. A factor relating to this accident was the Cessna 180 pilot's diverted attention.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 17, 1996 · about 1:54 pm local time
- Place
- Traverse City, Michigan · Cherry Capital · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N9352U · no longer on the register · serial 15078301
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N2406C · registry record · serial 30706
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 150M final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the Cessna 150M, N9352U, was sitting at the end of the runway when 'the other aircraft (a tail dragger) ran into the (left) wing with its propeller.' The pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, stated that he was taxing west from his hangar onto the taxiway which lead to the north end of runway 18 when he called the tower for takeoff instructions. He stated he was looking to the left and thinking about the takeoff while he was talking. The next thing he recalled was a loud metallic crunch and 'I had hit another airplane on the taxiway.'
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 NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 180 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the Cessna 150M, N9352U, was sitting at the end of the runway when 'the other aircraft (a tail dragger) ran into the (left) wing with its propeller.' The pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, stated that he was taxing west from his hangar onto the taxiway which lead to the north end of runway 18 when he called the tower for takeoff instructions. He stated he was looking to the left and thinking about the takeoff while he was talking. The next thing he recalled was a loud metallic crunch and 'I had hit another airplane on the taxiway.'
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 for the Cessna 150M from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 180 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 165 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,360 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 28, 1996; 52 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TVC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,108 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from TVC, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 180 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 4,344 in this make and model; 6,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 18, 1996; 121 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TVC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,108 ft by 150 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CHI96LA304.