# NTSB FTW87FA037: Cessna 150L, N18227, Altus, OK, December 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1986, 11:07 local (17:07 UTC)
- Place: Altus, OK
- Coordinates: 34.640861, -99.310043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6409&lon=-99.3100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22225/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CIRCLING ABOUT 40-50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AT A SLOW RATE OF AIRSPEED WHILE SEARCHING FOR A LOST DOG. HE WAS USING 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND MOST PROBABLY OPERATING AT A REDUCED POWER SETTING. CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT AND CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT BEING USED. HE APPARENTLY LOCATED THE DOG, STARTED A CLIMB, AND ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO DEPART THE AREA WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO AN EXCESSIVELY RICH FUEL MIXTURE AS A RESULT OF AN ACCUMULATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED WITHOUT SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER BEFORE GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N18227 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073880
- Airframe hours: 2615
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Western State Flyers, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1986, 30 hours before
- Airport: AXS, Altus Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LTS, 4 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 19861226071549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861226071549A), Dec 26, 1986: Cessna 150L, Altus, OK, Destroyed. The aircraft stalled and impacted the ground. Suspect carburetor icing caused power loss while searching for a dog.

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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