Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 11, 1999 · Cessna 150 · N7983E

Hubbard Lake, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hubbard Lake, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N7983E
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI99FA221

Witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying between 50 and 200 feet above the surface of a lake when it began a steep climb. One witness said the airplane "...went straight up 200 feet from the ground." The witnesses reported that the airplane rolled to the left and descended in a steep nose down attitude until it collided with the ground about 50 feet west of the lake's shoreline.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control after executing the low pass and steep nose up climb.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 11, 1999, at 1505 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N7983E, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the ground and subsequently caught fire following a loss of control in flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Harrisville, Michigan, exact time unknown. WITNESSES One witness reported "On July11, Sunday while sailing my sailboat on Hubbard Lake I observed a small plane flying along the west shoreline, at about tree top altitude. The plane flew over a number of boats as if to buzz them. At this time he was at approx 50 ft. over the lake, he then banked to the east and attempted to gain altitude. I then noticed the plane stall and fall to the south and proceed into a dive and crashed." Another witness reported "I was 50 yards from impact (in lake), plane came from the south 100 feet high, over the water 200 ft from shore. He then went straight up 200 ft from the ground. He then turned left and went straight down nose first. Engine was running." Another witness reported "Pilot was hotdogging out in the front over water he would come too low - and to close - seen many times...." These witness statements and additional witness statements gathered are attached to this factual report. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a Private Pilot Certificate with single engine land rating. He had about 250 hours total flight time and 12 hours in the last 90 days. He had a current biennial flight review. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The aircraft was 1960 manufactured Cessna 150 serial number 17783. The aircraft was equipped with a 100 horsepower Continental O-200-A engine, serial number 62597-5-A. The aircraft had a total time of about 3400 hours. The aircraft and engine had an annual inspection on October 1, 1998. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The reported weather at Alpena, Michigan, about 030 degrees, 16 miles, from Hubbard Lake, Michigan, was clear skies and visibility of 10 miles. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft crashed near the west shore of Hubbard Lake. Damage to the aircraft was in the area of the nose and cabin area and the leading edge of the left wing. The empennage was broken aft of the trailing edge of the wing. The left wing from the tank area into the cabin area was burned. On scene inspection of the aircraft flight controls and engine disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. MEDICAL AND PATOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed by the Forensic Pathology Service of Sparrow Hospital on July 12, 1999. Toxicology performed by the FAA, Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma found no ethanol and no drugs. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to J.B. Auto and Marine on July 13, 1999.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN7983E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data