# NTSB LAX85LA399: Cessna 150M, N45382, Selma, CA, September 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1985, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Selma, CA
- Coordinates: 36.530864, -119.640258 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5309&lon=-119.6403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA399
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24842/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA399

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPTD THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING THE DESCENT TO SELMA ARPT. THE PILOT DID NOT APPLY CARB HEAT BEFORE BEGINING THE DESCENT. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING THE ACFT LEFT WING STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY DURING THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION. THE ACFT CONTAINED ABOUT 10 GALS OF FUEL. THE TEMP/DEW POINT SPREAD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 64 DEG F & 44 DEG F. ACCORDING TO THE CARB ICING CURVE, THE ACFT WAS OPERATING IN THE SERIOUS CARB ICING RANGE AT GLIDE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45382](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45382-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N 15076891, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076891
- Airframe hours: 2536
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Franklin D. Mcdonald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1985
- Departed: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Destination: 0Q4, SELMA, CA
- Airport: 0Q4, Selma

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 324 total, 272 in this make and model, 285 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 13 nm away

## 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 19850921075629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850921075629A), Sep 21, 1985: Cessna 150M, Selma, CA, Substantial damage. Engine power loss during descent to traffic pattern. Pilot did not use carburetor heat for descent. Struck a pole.

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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