# NTSB LAX85FA030: Cessna 150M, N704EQ, Lee Vining, CA, October 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1984, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Lee Vining, CA
- Coordinates: 35.890888, -120.599884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8909&lon=-120.5999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA030

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN DURING A VFR X-COUNTRY. THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE ON THE LEE SIDE ANDDID NOT CLEAR THE TOP OF THE RIDGE. THE PLT SAID THAT WHEN HE SAW THE ACFT WAS NOT GOING TO CLEAR THE RIDGE HE LOWERED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND STARTED A LEFT TURN. THE LEFT WING HIT THE SIDE OF THE RIDGE AND THE NOSE OF THE ACFT HIT A LARGE ROCK. THE ACFT THEN CARTWHEELED AND CAME TO A STOP RIGHT SIDE UP. THE AVIATION WEATHER HANDBOOK STATES IN PART THAT THE DOWNDRAFT ON THE LEE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN MAY DRIVE AN ACFT INTO THE MOUNTAINSIDE. IT RECOMMENDS A CLIMB WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE MOUNTAIN TO AN ALT IN EXCESS OF THE TERRAIN TO BE CLEARED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704EQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704EQ-1985-03-06), registration cancelled 1985-03-06, S/N 15078556 (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: 14078556
- Airframe hours: 3241
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: General Air Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1984, 4 hours before
- Departed: 022, COLUMBIA, CA
- Destination: 024, LEE VINING, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 27 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 360° at 30 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19841021073239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841021073239A), Oct 21, 1984: Cessna 150M, Lee Vining, CA, Destroyed. Pilot attempted climb over ridge with marginal climb rate and probable downdrafts. Did not lean engine. Crashed.

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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