# NTSB LAX85FVW01: Cessna 150L, N17171, Furnace Creek, CA, November 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1984, 07:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Furnace Creek, CA
- Coordinates: 36.600856, -116.829025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6009&lon=-116.8290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FVW01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FVW01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

PLT STATED THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH DURING CRUISE FLT. PLT APPLIED CARB HEAT AND 'ADJUSTED THE MIXTURE' BUT ENG CONTINUED RUNNING ROUGH AND SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT. THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A ROAD SIGN DURING THE FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH WHERE THE RIGHT MAIN AND NOSE GEARS COLLAPSED. INSPECTION OF THE ENG FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N17171 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-73645
- Airframe hours: 5222
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Valley Aircraft Rental
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1984, 87 hours before
- Departed: LO6, FURNACE CREEK, CA
- Destination: L57, PAHRUMP, NV
- Airport: LO6, Ceath Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 9 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841130064179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841130064179A), Nov 30, 1984: Cessna 150L, Furnace Creek, CA, Substantial damage. Engine ran rough during climb and then quit. Struck sign during rollout on a road. Probable carburetor ice.

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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