# NTSB DEN88LA028: Cessna 150L, N1380Q, Aberdeen, SD, November 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1987, 20:30 local (Nov 25, 1987, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Aberdeen, SD
- Coordinates: 45.459522, -98.4803 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4595&lon=-98.4803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS RETURNING HOME WITH HIS SON AND ENCOUNTERED MARGINAL VFR WEATHER. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED THROUGH FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW AT BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES FOR OVER TWENTY MINUTES. WHEN CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED FOR LANDING, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT AT 3000 FEET AGL AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A CITY STREET. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE WING STRUCK TREE BRANCHES. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL REASON FOR POWER LOSS. AN ENGINE RUN SHOWED SATISFACTORY OPERATION FROM IDLE TO FULL POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1380Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1380Q-1989-12-13), registration cancelled 1989-12-13, S/N 15072680 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-72680
- Airframe hours: 2479
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Super 8 Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1987, 57 hours before
- Departed: 32 U, SKY RANCH, SD
- Airport: ABR, Aberdeen Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 389 total, 20 in this make and model, 347 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABR, 2 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 19871124069899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871124069899A), Nov 24, 1987: Cessna 150L, Aberdeen, SD, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach. Hit a tree while landing on street. No engine defects. Conditions good for carburetor ice

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.