# NTSB LAX01LA133: Cessna 150J, N60051, Fortuna, CA, March 31, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 2001, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Fortuna, CA - Coordinates: 40.570941, -124.14994 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5709&lon=-124.1499&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: WP-OAK-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51999 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51999/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA133 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power in cruise flight for undetermined reasons and subsequent forced landing in water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) ## Analysis The engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing about 20 yards offshore. The pilot was flying from the right seat and there were several loose items on the left seat. The pilot's certificate had been revoked as a result of his involvement in an aircraft accident. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 2001, approximately 0800 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150J, N60051, was substantially damaged when it made a forced landing in the Pacific ocean near Fortuna, California. Visual metrological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight, which originated from Ukiah, California, approximately 0730. The flight was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by an uncertificated pilot/owner who was not injured. The pilot reported to the sheriff's deputy who interviewed him that he was flying from the right seat and that there were several loose items on the left seat. The airplane encountered turbulence and the loose items struck the engine controls causing the engine to shutdown. The pilot made a forced landing about 20 yards offshore. A search of Federal Aviation Administration Airman database revealed that the pilot's certificate had been revoked on September 20, 1999, as a result of his involvement in an aircraft accident on August 14, 1999. Two attempts were made to mail an NTSB Form 6120.1/2 - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form. The first attempt, via regular mail, was sent on April 4, 2001. The second attempt, via certified mail, was sent on May 7, 2001. No response has been received. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60051](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60051-2017-03-06), registration cancelled 2017-03-06, S/N 15070036, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15070036 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leo C. Syler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: UKI, UKIAH, CA - Destination: EKA, EUREKA, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; medical: class 3, expired; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: ACV ## 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 20010331006649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010331006649A), Mar 31, 2001: Cessna 150J, Fortuna, CA, No damage. (.19) On March 31, 2001, approx. 0800 hours PST, a Cessna 150J, N60051, was substantially damaged when it collided with the pacific ocean near Fortuna, CA.… ## Other investigations on N60051 (1) 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 MKC74DCQ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DCQ02), Aug 1, 1973: Cessna 150 (N60051), Ashland, KS, 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. --- 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.