# NTSB DEN82FA197: Cessna 150L, Near Kalispell, MT, August 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1982, 21:55 local (Aug 23, 1982, 03:55 UTC)
- Place: Near Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 48.189987, -114.379493 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1900&lon=-114.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA197

## Sequence of events

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

- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER A FLIGHT FROM VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA TO PENTICTON, CANADA, THE PILOT FILED A FLIGHT PLAN FOR A RETURN TRIP AND DEPARTED AT ABOUT 1900 MDT. LATER, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AT NIGHT IN THE LITTLE BITTERROOT LAKE, LOCATED ABOUT 25 MILES WEST OF KALISPELL, MT. THE PILOT EGRESSED FROM THE PLANE, BUT THE PASSENGER WAS INCAPACITATED AFTER IMPACT AND DROWNED WHEN THE PLANE SANK. THE PILOT LEFT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND WAS NOT LOCATED. HOWEVER, HE MADE 2 TELEPHONE CALLS (FROM NEW YORK AND TEXAS) TO A FRIEND IN CANADA AND INDICATED THE LOCATION OF THE CRASH SITE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED IN 255 FT OF WATER AND WAS RECOVERED WITH THE PASSENGER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT WING AND ENGINE COWLING WERE DAMAGED DURING TOUCHDOWN IN THE WATER. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED 4 GAL OF FUEL, THE LEFT TANK WAS FILLED WITH WATER. NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGICK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075608
- Airframe hours: 4233
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Jaroslaw C. Ambrozuk
- Registered owner: Sol Aire Inc.
- Departed: PENTICTON
- Destination: VANCOUVER
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 70 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 129 °F

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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