# NTSB LAX86FA183: Cessna 150B, N1118Y, Bermuda Dunes, CA, April 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1986, 06:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Bermuda Dunes, CA
- Coordinates: 33.709808, -116.229057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7098&lon=-116.2291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, other
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - procedure inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - initiated
  - load jettison - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear - foreign object (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FLIGHT WAS TO DOCUMENT THROUGH THE USE OF VIDEOTAPE THE DEPLOYMENT & TRAJECTORY OF A SPECIALITY PARACHUTE WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO A BALLAST BAG. THE PLT, WHO WAS THE DESIGNER OF THE DEVICE, UTILIZED HIS EXPERIMENTAL CATEGORY ACFT FOR THE LAUNCH. AT THE PREARRANGED ALTITUDE OF 3000 FT AGL, THE DEVICE EXITED OUT OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT'S DOOR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMOVED, & WHEN THE DEVICE LEFT THE ACFT THE BALLAST BAG'S ATTACHMENT CORD BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE LEFT LANDING GEAR WHEEL RIM ASSEMBLY. THE PARACHUTE, WHICH REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE BAG, STREAMERED BEHIND THE ACFT. THE ACFT STALLED, PITCHED DOWNWARD & DESCENDED INTO TERRAIN WHILE IN A VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE PLT BAILED OUT OF THE ACFT AT ABOUT 400 FT AGL. HIS PERSONAL PARACHUTE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PLT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A 0.10 LEVEL OF ETHYL ALCOHOL IN HIS BLOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1118Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1118Y-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 15059518 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150B
- Registry model: [Cessna 150B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150b) (registry code 2071806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15059518
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Handbury Products Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1984
- Departed: BERMUDA DUNES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 580 total, 13 in this make and model, 294 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19860421086109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860421086109A), Apr 21, 1986: Cessna 150B, Bermuda Dunes, CA, Destroyed. An experimental parachute system snagged on the landing gear during deployment, causing the aircraft to pitch down.

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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