# NTSB DEN90LA124: Cessna 150F, N6418F, Sturgis, SD, June 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1990, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Sturgis, SD
- Coordinates: 44.41048, -103.509544 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4105&lon=-103.5095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA124

## Probable cause

PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLING THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS SPRAYING HIS BROTHER'S FIELD WITH 2-4-D. HE MADE A WIDE RIGHT TURN TO START ANOTHER SPRAY RUN. THE BANK WAS TIGHTENED TO ALIGN THE ACFT WITH THE SWATH PATH. THE ACFT STALLED AND CRASHED. POST-CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD INSTALLED A SPRAY KIT ON THE ACFT, BUT HAD FAILED TO HAVE THE ACFT INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR. THERE WERE NO ENTRIES MADE IN THE MAINTENANCE LOG, AND NO FAA FORM 337 HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THE PLT DID NOT OBTAIN A 14 CFR 137 CERTIFICATE, AND ONLY HELD A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6418F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6418F-1990-10-15), registration cancelled 1990-10-15, S/N 15063018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15063018
- Airframe hours: 4272
- Engines: LYCOMING O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 91
- Registered owner: Baker, Norbert J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1989

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAP, 31 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 19900604020849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900604020849A), Jun 4, 1990: Cessna 150F, Sturgis, SD, Destroyed. Stalled in low attitude steep turn to line up for agricultural application spray run.

## Other investigations on N6418F (2)

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 DEN83LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA147), Jun 18, 1983: Cessna 150 (N6418F), Red Owl, SD, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC69D0299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69D0299), Dec 21, 1968: Cessna 150F (N6418F), Spearfish, SD, 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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