Cessna 150G accident near Rush City, Minnesota, June 22, 1998
On June 22, 1998 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Cessna 150G, registered N8450J, was destroyed in an accident near Rush City, Minnesota (Rush City Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane during the initial takeoff climb. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inattentiveness at lowering excessive flaps for takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 1998 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Rush City, Minnesota · Rush City Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150G · all 150Gs on the register
- Registration
- N8450J · no longer on the register · serial 15066350
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he 'inadvertently' set the flaps to 20 degrees. He reported flying in ground effect for about 600 feet prior to climbing to an altitude of about 30 feet above the ground. The airplane then stalled, impacted the terrain, and a post impact fire ensued. Inspection of the airplane revealed the flap actuator was extended 4.8 inches which correlates to 29 degrees of flaps being extended. The pilot reported he was used to flying a Piper Cherokee and 'incorrectly thought that just like a Cherokee a 20 degree wing flap [setting] would shorten [the] ground roll.'
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
- Flight time: 750 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 750 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 54Y
- Destination: FSD Souix Fall SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 4,400 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from CBG, 18 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.