# NTSB LAX85FA325: Cessna 150L, N11490, Goleta, CA, July 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1985, 03:07 local (10:07 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Coordinates: 34.500385, -120.120033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5004&lon=-120.1200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA325

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT 0242 PDT, THE STUDENT PLT TRIED TO CALL THE TOWER FOR A RADIO CHECK. THE TOWER WAS CLOSED, BUT A FSS SPECIALIST HEARD THE TRANSMISSION & PROVIDED ADVISORIES. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE STUDENT PLT TOOK OFF WITH A PASSENGER ABOARD. SHORTLY, AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CRASHED ON RWY 25 & BURNED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT OF THE ACFT AFTER IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND, BUT THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY FIRE. TOXICOLOGY TESTS SHOWED THE BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVELS OF THE PLT & PASSENGER WERE 0.12 & 0.13 GRAMS PERCENT (0.12% & 0.13%), RESPECTIVELY. AN INSTRUCTOR PLT STATED THAT THE STUDENT HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY NIGHT FLYING INSTRUCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11490](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11490-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 15075457 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075457
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: U.C. Santa Barbara Flying Club
- Registered owner: Gene R. Kelley
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 13, 1985
- Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara, runway 25, 6,049 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA

## 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 19850723033799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850723033799A), Jul 23, 1985: Cessna 150L, Goleta, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted on the runway during takeoff. Pilot had been partying on the prior evening and blood alcohol level 0.13.

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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