# NTSB BFO90LA058: Cessna 150, N5964E, Alderson, WV, June 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1990, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Alderson, WV
- Coordinates: 37.720405, -80.640022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7204&lon=-80.6400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11601
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11601/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA058

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL. LOW ALTITUDE AND INATTENTION WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS CIRCLING AT LOW ALTITUDE, ABOUT 100 FT AGL, WHEN THE ACFT STALLED. THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE PLT STATED THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BECAUSE HE WAS TOO LOW, TOO SLOW, AND INATTENTIVE TO THE ACFT ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5964E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5964E-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 17464, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150) (registry code 2071802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17464
- Airframe hours: 2858
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pence Airways
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 27, 1990
- Departed: W59, PENCE SPRINGS, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 321 total, 25 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LWB

## 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 19900617021109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900617021109A), Jun 17, 1990: Cessna 150, Alderson, WV, Substantial damage. Low and too slow. Law officers looking for marijuana. Had to stall it into top of oak tree. Unable to clear ridge.

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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