Cessna 150L accident near Garrett, Indiana, August 20, 1999
On August 20, 1999 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Cessna 150L, registered N161BA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Garrett, Indiana (Shenk Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision to land and takeoff on the airstrip which was unsuitable and closed, and the pilot's failure to attain clearance with the trees during the takeoff initial climb. Factors associated with the accident were the trees and the short airstrip which contained high vegetation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 1999 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Garrett, Indiana · Shenk Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150L · all 150Ls on the register
- Registration
- N161BA · registry record · serial 1507298`
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane contacted 50 foot tall trees and came to rest in a pond during the initial takeoff climb from a grass airstrip. The pilot reported he landed at the airstrip to practice a short/soft field takeoff. The pilot was unable to clear the trees located about 800 feet from the end of the airstrip. The pilot had flown into the airstrip in the past when it was 2,000 feet long. The length of the airstrip had been shortened to 1,500 feet by the planting of a corn crop. The pilot was unaware that the airstrip had been shortened. There was an 'X' at each end of the airstrip signifying that it was closed and the grass was 4 to 6 inches tall. The Chicago Sectional Aeronautical Chart, 58th Edition, indicates the length of the airstrip is 2,000'.
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: 308 hours in all; 67 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 133 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,662 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 28, 1999; 54 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 07C Auburn IN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 1,500 ft by 141 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:54 pm from FWA, 30 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.