# NTSB FTW90FA168: Cessna 150M, N66369, Baton Rouge, LA, August 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1990, 08:34 local (13:34 UTC)
- Place: Baton Rouge, LA
- Coordinates: 30.53976, -91.219078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5398&lon=-91.2191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23036/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA168

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL DURING THE STEEP TURN. A FACTOR WAS THE DOOR OPENING IN FLIGHT.

## 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 landing area (emergency)
  - door,passenger - open (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT RECEIVED HIS PILOT'S LICENSE THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. ON THE ACCIDENT DAY, HE HAD GIVEN HIS MOTHER A RIDE, THEN TOOK UP HIS FATHER. TOWER SAID TAKEOFF AND CLIMB WAS NORMAL TO 200 TO 300 FEET AGL. PILOT SAID HE TURNED AROUND FOR IMMEDIATE LANDING, THEN SAID, 'I CAN'T HEAR YOU.' FROM A NOSE HIGH, STEEP LEFT BANK, THE AIRPLANE WENT TO THE GROUND. IT IMPACTED NEAR VERTICAL. WITNESS FIRST SAID HE HEARD A LOUD BANG, THEN SAW AIRPLANE ON THE GROUND. HE LATER SAID HE HEARD A SPUTTERING SOUND, THEN HEARD A LOUD BANK, THEN SAW THE AIRPLANE ON THE GROUND. WITH IMPACT DAMAGE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, ON TEST STAND, ENGINE LATER RAN TO 2,710 RPM. DURING INVESTIGATION, RIGHT DOOR WAS FOUND WITH DIAGONAL IMPACT MARK THAT MATCHED RIGHT WING STRUT. THE RIGHT DOOR LOCK AND THE DOOR-POST-LOCK- RECEPTACLE WERE NOT DAMAGED. THERE WAS PAINT MATCHING THE RIGHT DOOR, ON THE RIGHT WING STRUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66369](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66369-1992-02-27), registration cancelled 1992-02-27, S/N 15075997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075997
- Airframe hours: 2811
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Capitol City Air Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 4, 1990, 93 hours before
- Departed: BTR, BATON ROUGE, LA
- Airport: BTR, Metropolitan Ryan Field, runway 31, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 68 total, 68 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTR, 1 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 19900826036049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900826036049A), Aug 26, 1990: Cessna 150M, Baton Rouge, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Indicates rough engine on takeoff due to stuck valve. Turned back but stalled and impacted vertically.

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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