# NTSB ATL83LA250: Cessna 150, N8876U, Tuscaloosa, AL, July 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1983, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Coordinates: 33.211, -87.587102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2110&lon=-87.5871&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA250

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE SPANNING A RIVER DURING A LOW PASS OVER THE WATER. THE PILOT SAID THE PURPOSE OF THELOW PASS WAS TO LOOK FOR HIS FATHER IN A BOAT. HE SAID HE THOUGHT HE SAW THE BOAT AND IN PULLING UP THE ACFT HIT THE POWER LINE. CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE WATER AND SANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8876U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8876U-1984-01-13), registration cancelled 1984-01-13, S/N 15078010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 78010
- Airframe hours: 2662
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Franklin
- Registered owner: Dixie Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1983, 31 hours before
- Departed: TCL, TUSCALOOSA, AL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,315 total, 122 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830702028289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830702028289A), Jul 2, 1983: Cessna 150F, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying low over river and aircraft struck powerlines and crashed.

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.

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