# NTSB ATL88LA127: Cessna 150J, N50715, Guntersville, AL, April 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1988, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Guntersville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.349903, -86.270164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3499&lon=-86.2702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE SEAPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE WATER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT RPTD THAT A LARGE SPIDER DROPPED IN FRONT OF HIM AND DISTRACTED HIM. THE AIRPLANE WAS IN A GRADUAL RIGHT TURN ABOUT 100 FT ABOVE THE WATER AT THE TIME. HE ATTEMPTED TO SWAT THE SPIDER WITH HIS HAT AND INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO DESCEND INTO THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. HE EXITED THE AIRPLANE AS IT SANK AND WAS RESCUED BY A FISHERMAN. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE WATER WAS GLASSY AND THAT THE SKY WAS OVERCAST AT THE TIME. HE INDICATED THAT THE LACK OF NEARBY OUTSIDE VISUAL REFERENCES CONTRIBUTED TO HIS INADVERTENTLY ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO DESCEND INTO THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50715](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50715-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 15069502 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069502
- Airframe hours: 1463
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank Ryder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,715 total, 26 in this make and model, 1,671 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19880401007609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880401007609A), Apr 1, 1988: Cessna 150J, Guntersville, AL, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit the water during a low altitude turn after water takeoff. Lpilot was swatting a spider in the cockpit.

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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