# NTSB ATL90LA084: Cessna 150M, N704EA, Beaufort, NC, March 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1990, 02:20 local (07:20 UTC)
- Place: Beaufort, NC
- Coordinates: 34.719257, -76.650634 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7193&lon=-76.6506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA084

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED PULL UP FROM AN INTENTIONAL DESCENT DURING AN ABORTED SUICIDE ATTEMPT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - descent - intentional, pilot in command
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT CONFESSED TO POLICE THAT HE BECAME INTOXICATED AND FLEW THE AIRPLANE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION.  HE STATED THAT AFTER RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND, HE DOVE THE AIRPLANE AT THE GROUND TO COMMIT SUICIDE.  BEFORE IMPACT, HE TRIED TO ARREST THE DESCENT BY PULLING AFT ON THE YOKE, BUT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704EA-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 15078542, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078542
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Tar Heel Aviation
- Registered owner: Tar Heel Aviation
- Departed: MRH
- Destination: MRH
- Airport: MRH, Beaufort-Morehead City, runway 26, 4,252 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWN, 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 19900318004699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900318004699A), Mar 18, 1990: Cessna 150M, Beaufort, NC, Substantial damage. Intoxicated pilot stole an aircraft at night in marginal weather. Flew erractically and crashed short of runway.

## Other investigations on N704EA (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 ATL87LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA141), May 16, 1987: Cessna 150 (N704EA), China Grove, NC, substantial damage

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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