# NTSB ATL90FA017: Cessna 150M, N66538, Carrollton, OH, October 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1989, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Carrollton, OH
- Coordinates: 40.569847, -81.089599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5698&lon=-81.0896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA017

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING, WHICH LED TO AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S APPARENT DESIRE TO SHOW OFF, AND THE LOW ALTITUDE AT WHICH HE CHOSE TO PERFORM THE MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING UP AND DOWN 'ROLLER COASTER' MANEUVERS AT LOW ALTITUDE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. DURING THE CLIMB PORTION OF ONE OF THE MANEUVERS, THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY ROLLED SHARPLY TO ONE SIDE AND ENTERED A SPIN. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD AND BURNED. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRPLANE WAS ONLY 100 TO 200 FT AGL, WHEN THE PILOT INITIATED THE MANEUVERS. TWO WITNESSES NOTED THAT THE PILOT HAD PERFORMED THE 'ROLLER COASTER' MANEUVERS ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT REVEALED NOTHING THAT COULD BE CAUSALLY RELATED TO THE MISHAP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66538](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66538-1990-09-07), registration cancelled 1990-09-07, S/N 15076107 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076107
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marion L. Brewer
- Registered owner: Harold D. Byer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: NONE, CARROLLTON, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAK, 28 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 19891029043419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891029043419A), Oct 29, 1989: Cessna 150M, Carrolton, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled and spun in while performing dives and pull-ups over his residence. Pilot and aircraft burned.

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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