# NTSB LAX85LA377: Cessna A150K, N8409M, Avalon, CA, August 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1985, 14:16 local (21:16 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.38034, -118.449668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3803&lon=-118.4497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA377
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA377

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - engine assembly - failure,total (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THE OPERATION WAS ABOUT 4 AND 1/2 HOURS INTO A COMMERCIAL FISH SPOTTING FLT WHEN THE ENGINE 'BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, THEN QUIT ALTOGETHER.'  ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE PLT COMPLETED A POWER-OFF DITCHING AT SEA. HE AND THE PSGR, WHO WAS ALSO AN EXPERIENCED PLT, SAID 'THE ENGINE STOPPED ABRUPTLY AFTER SOME INTERNAL NOISE.  THE PROP DID NOT WINDMILL . . . THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN THE PROPELLER.'  AFTER DITCHING, THE ACFT SANK IN ABOUT 300 TO 400 FT OF WATER AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8409M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8409M-1985-08-31), registration cancelled 1985-08-31, S/N A15000109, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A150K
- Registry model: [Cessna A150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150k) (registry code 2071824) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A15000109
- Airframe hours: 2093
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond C. White
- Registered owner: Patrick M. O'Hare
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1985, 55 hours before
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,464 total, 200 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19850831074919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850831074919A), Aug 31, 1985: Cessna A150K, Avalon, CA, Destroyed. Failed to use carburetor heat during low powr flight. Engine quit. Ditched 20 miles southeast of catalina island.

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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