# NTSB FTW90LA070: Cessna 150L, N21969, Arlington, TX, February 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1990, 22:30 local (Feb 14, 1990, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TX
- Coordinates: 32.719432, -97.080772 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7194&lon=-97.0808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA070

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT AFTER CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE, HIS DECISION TO MAKE LOW PASSES AT NIGHT (BUZZING), FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE, AND DIVERSION OF HIS ATTENTION.  DARKNESS WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS AT NIGHT OVER A BAR WHERE HE & HIS PASSENGER HAD BEEN EARLIER IN THE EVENING. ACCORDING TO HIM, HE BEGAN A SECOND PASS & WAS DEMONSTRATING HOW THE AIRPLANE'S SPEED COULD BE CONTROLLED BY PITCH, WHEN HE BECAME PREOCCUPPIED WITH THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A 45 FT TREE, THEN SEVERAL VEHICLES. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD CONSUMED 4 BEERS DURING A 4 HR PERIOD BEFORE THE FLIGHT. HE REFUSED A TOXICOLOGY TEST, BUT LOCAL POLICE GAVE HIM A FIELD SOBRIETY (EYE GAZE NYSTAGMUS) TEST. THE TEST INDICATED THE PILOT WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21969](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21969-1999-03-02), registration cancelled 1999-03-02, S/N 15074577 (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: 15074577
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert J. Savell
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: ARLINGTON, TX
- Airport: F54

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 312 total, 302 in this make and model, 257 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 170° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DFW, 15 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 19900213002099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900213002099A), Feb 13, 1990: Cessna 150L, Arlington, TX, Destroyed. Buzzing a bar at night, struck a tree and vehicles. Eye gaze nystagmus sobriety test on pilot was administered.

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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