# NTSB LAX85FA178: Cessna 150F, N8567G, Lee Vining, CA, March 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1985, 14:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Lee Vining, CA
- Coordinates: 37.990882, -119.110717 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9909&lon=-119.1107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA178

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED BELOW THE CREST OF AN 8100 FT (MSL) MTN ON A FLT FROM MAMMOTH-JUNE LAKES ARPT (MMH), MAMMOTH, CA, TO RENO, NV, WHILE EXECUTING A LEFT TURN COURSE REVERSAL. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT FLYING AT ABOUT 100 AGL ALONG HWY 395. THE WITNESSES ALSO RPTD LOW CEILING & VIS PREVAILED. THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTING MMH & WAS INFORMED THAT THE MTN TOPS WERE OBSCURED BY LOW CLOUDS & SNOW SHOWERALONG THE PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLT. THE PLT STATED HE WOULD WAIT AWHILE & DEPART. HE WOULD RETURN TO MMH IF HE COULD NOT NEGOTIATE THE HIGH MTNS. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT WRECKAGE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT/POST-IMPACT FIRE.THE PROP ASS'Y DISCLOSED EVIDENCE OF POWER BEING DEVELOPED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8567G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8567G-2009-09-15), registration cancelled 2009-09-15, S/N 15062667, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15062667
- Airframe hours: 1150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. & Kathryne J Hartwig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 1985, 21 hours before
- Departed: MMH, MAMMOTH, CA
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: 024, Lee Vining

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 45 °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 19850318007799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850318007799A), Mar 18, 1985: Cessna 150F, Lee Vinning, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft collided with rising terrain while following highway. VFR not recommended to VFR pilot. Fire after crash.

## Other investigations on N8567G (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 SEA69D0116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA69D0116), Sep 28, 1968: Cessna 150 (N8567G), Orofino, ID, 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.

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