# NTSB ATL91LA088: Cessna 150J, N50738, Kure Beach, NC, April 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1991, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Kure Beach, NC
- Coordinates: 33.989051, -77.910995 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9891&lon=-77.9110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT, WHILE IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL, AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE WATER AFTER INITIATING A LOW PASS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - low pass - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - water
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE 24 YEAR OLD PILOT FLEW THE AIRCRAFT AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN.  A WITNESS REPORTED THAT ITS LANDING GEAR HIT A WAVE, THEN THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT WAS RESCUED, BUT THE PASSENGER DROWNED.  TOXICOLOGY TESTING OF THE PILOT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.165%.  THE PILOT HAD FLOWN THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT.  THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE OCEAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50738](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50738-1992-11-17), registration cancelled 1992-11-17, S/N 15069520 (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: 15069520
- Airframe hours: 4106
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sloan, Landon W.
- Registered owner: Sloan, Landon W.
- Departed: NONE, WILMINGTON, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILM, 16 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 19910425012509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910425012509A), Apr 25, 1991: Cessna 150J, Kure Beach, NC, Destroyed. Caught a wheel on a wave while flying close to surface. Cartwheeled crashed and sank. Took craft without permission

## Other investigations on N50738 (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 ATL88LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA075), Jan 12, 1988: Cessna 150 (N50738), Carolina Beach, 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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