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CHI97LA064

1997-02-01 · DOWAGIAC, Michigan, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport C91

Current FAA registration · N4655X

Make / Model
CESSNA 150G
Engine
CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES (100 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19660806
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A5AF4B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the snowbank.

Factual narrative

On February 1, 1997, at 1635 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150G, N4655X, sustained substantial damage during a nose over during takeoff on runway 27 (4700' x 100' dry/asphalt) at Dowagiac, Michigan. The solo student pilot was conducting touch and go landings when the airplane exited the runway to the left and impacted a snowbank. The pilot reported no injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight originated about 1510. The student pilot said that during the transition from a landing to takeoff, the airplane "veered" left. He said he then attempted a "soft field" takeoff, in an attempt to get the airplane airborne; however, the landing gear contacted a snowbank and the airplane nosed over. The student pilot was conducting solo touch-and-go landings. While in the transition from a landing to takeoff, directional control was lost. The pilot attempted to continue the takeoff; however, the landing gear contacted a snowbank and the airplane nosed over. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1997_CHI97LA064.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.