NTSB Identification: CHI90DEM08
For details, refer to NTSB microfiche number 42302A
Accident occurred AUG-06-90 at HOLLAND, MI
Aircraft: CESSNA 150L, registration: N741MF
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
THE PLT & PSGR DEPD ON A LOCAL FLT AT NIGHT IN CLEAR WX CONDS. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINOF FLT, THE ACFT CRASHED IN LAKE MICHIGAN, ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE SHORELINE. A WITNESS SAIDHE SAW THE LIGHTS OF AN ACFT FLYING AT LOW ALT IN THAT AREA, WHICH HAD DISAPPEARED FROMHIS VIEW. ABOUT 2 DAYS LATER, WRECKAGE OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND IN ABOUT 50′ OF WATER. THEPSGR WAS STILL STRAPPED IN THE ACFT. THE PLT’S BODY WAS FOUND ON 8/18/90 AFTER IT HADWASHED ONTO THE SHORE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT BOTH OCCUPANTS HAD DIED FROM DROWNING. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWEDTHE PLT’S BLOOD HAD A CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN (CARBON MONOXIDE) SATURATION OF 21%, WHILE THEPSGR’S BLOOD HAD ONLY A 7% SATURATION LEVEL. (SMOKERS CAN BE EXPECTED TO HAVE A SATURATIONLEVEL OF 3% TO 10%.) NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVERESULTED IN THE ELEVATED LEVEL(S) OF CARBON MONOXIDE.
Probable Cause
UNDETERMINED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS & IMPAIRMENT OF THE PILOTDUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE.
