# NTSB LAX86LA072: Cessna 150L, N10882, Tucson, AZ, December 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1985, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.180259, -110.889579 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1803&lon=-110.8896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA072

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - safety advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER ABOUT A 45 MIN WAIT AS THE NUMBER ONE ACFT FOR DEPARTURE, THE CONTROLLER INFORMED THE PLT THAT HE COULD EXPECT AN ADDITIONAL 3 MIN WAIT BECAUSE OF WAKE TURBULENCE FROM A (LARGE) EC-130 ACFT WHICH WAS APPROACHING FOR A TOUCH & GO LANDING. THE PLT ELECTED TO WAIVE THE TIME INTERVAL FOR THE WAKE TURBULENCE SEPARATON, AND AS THE EC-130 PASSED HIS POSITION THE CONTROLLER ISSUED THE PLT A CLEARANCE FOR TAKEOFF. THE ACFT CLIMBED TO BETWEEN 25 AND 50 FT AGL AND THEN IT ENCOUNTERED THE WAKE TURBULENCE. THE ACFT PITCHED DOWNWARD, ROLLED RIGHT AND DESCENDED UNTIL IT STRUCK THE RWY, 1 MINUTE, 22 SECONDS AFTER RECEIVING ITS TAKEOFF CLEARANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N10882 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075105
- Airframe hours: 7781
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Usaf, Davis Monthan Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1985, 48 hours before
- Departed: DMA, TUCSON, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AFB, Davis-Monthan, runway 12, 13,200 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 78 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DMA

## 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 19851219065939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851219065939A), Dec 19, 1985: Cessna 150L, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed. Waived wake turbulence time interval behind C130 doing touch and go. Lost control. Hit ground soon after takeoff.

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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