# Accident 20010331006649A: Cessna 150J, Fortuna, CA, March 31, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 31, 2001, 08:00 local time
- Place: Fortuna, CA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.5709° N, 124.1499° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5709&lon=-124.1499&mi=10
- Aircraft: N60051, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60051-2017-03-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 150J (registry code 2071820, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-200 series (registry code 17020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX01LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA133) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010331006649A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON MARCH 31, 2001, APPROX. 0800 HOURS PST, A CESSNA 150J, N60051, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE PACIFIC OCEAN NEAR FORTUNA, CA. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT, WHICH ORIGINATED FROM UKIAH, CA. APPROX. 0730. TEH FLIGHT WAS OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 91 BY AN UNCERTIFICATED PILOT/OWNER WHO WAS NOT INJURED. THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY, WHO INTERVIEWED HIM, THAT HE WAS FLYING FROM THE RIGHT SEAT AND THE LEFT SEAT CONTAINED SEVERAL LOOSE ITEMS. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND THE LOOSE ITEMS STRUCK THE ENGINE CONTROLS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. A SEARCH OF FEDERAL AVIATION AIRMAN DATABASE REVEALED THAT THE PILOT'S CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN REVOKED ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1999, AS A RESULT OF HIS INVOLVEMENT IN AN A/C ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 14, 1999. (-23) ON MARCH 31, 2001, APPROX. 0800 HOURS PST, A CESSNA 150J, N60051, WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE PACIFIC OCEAN NEAR PETROLIA, CA. THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED FROM THE UKIAH AIRPORT AT APPROX. 0730 AND WAS ENROUTE TO THE ARCATA AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY                     WHO INTERVIEWED THE PILOT, THE PILOT WAS FLYING THE A/C FROM THE RIGHT SEAT AND THE LEFT SEAT CONTAINED SEVERAL LOOSE ITEMS. THE A/C ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND THE LOOSE ITEMS STRUCK THE ENGINE CONTROLS SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. THE PILOT OF THE A/C DOES NOT HOLD AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE. HIS CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN REVOKED ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1999, DUE TO HIS INVOLVEMENT IN AN A/C ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 14, 1999.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX01LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA133), Mar 31, 2001: Cessna 150J (N60051), Fortuna, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power in cruise flight for undetermined reasons and subsequent forced landing in water.

## Other reports on N60051 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19990814024539I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990814024539I), Aug 14, 1999: Cessna 150J (N60051), North Bend, OR. On August 14, 1999 at 1:52 am PDT, Mr. Leo c. syler, pilot certificate #002528271, and a friend were observed by North Bend police officers as intoxicated on…
- [Accident 19730801022139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730801022139A), Aug 1, 1973: Cessna 150J (N60051), Ashland, KS, Substantial damage. PIC disoriented lost directional control during t/o roll.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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