# NTSB LAX81FA066: Cessna 150L, N19517, Reno, NV, March 24, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 24, 1981
- Place: Reno, NV · RENO, NV
- Location: 39.5296° N, 119.8138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reno, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5296&lon=-119.8138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA066
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA066

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0553  81/3/24    RENO,NV             CESSNA 150L         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 58, 254
        TIME - 2132                    N19517              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 160 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - RENO/STEAD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELKO,NV                     RENO,NV
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        REMARKS- DARK MOONLESS NIGHT.ARPT SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.APP TO RWY 14,NO LIGHTS N OR E OF ARPT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19517](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19517-1983-11-23), registration cancelled 1983-11-23, S/N 15074463 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Reno/Stead

## 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 19810324012279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810324012279A), Mar 24, 1981: Cessna 150L, Reno, NV, Destroyed. Wreckage info indicates pilot inadvertently flew into ground in level flight on night approach. Unlighted area.

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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