# NTSB LAX83LA327: Cessna 150G, N8378J, Roosevelt, AZ, July 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1983, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Roosevelt, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.620761, -111.030479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6208&lon=-111.0305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA327

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE FLT DEPARTED FROM AN ARPT WHERETHE ELEVATION IS 2361 FT. THE FLT PROCEEDED TOWARD NEARBY MOUNTAINS WHOSE ELEVATION IS ABOUT 5000 FT MSL. THE ACFT RATE OF CLIMB WAS ABOUT 150 FT A MINUTE. THE PILOT TRIED TO CLIMB OVER THE MOUNTAINS BUT FAILED TO CLEAR A RIDGE LINE AND CRASHED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE PILOT ATTRIBUTES DENSITY ALT AND FULL LOAD AS FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8378J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066278
- Airframe hours: 4980
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Bethel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 24, 1983, 57 hours before
- Destination: P16, MESA, AZ
- Airport: E75, Grapevine, runway 34, 3,900 × 170 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 13 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 45 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 19830709030099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830709030099A), Jul 9, 1983: Cessna 150G, Roosevelt, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting to outclimb rising terrain. Aircraft crashed into ridge at 4500 feet elevation.

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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