# NTSB LAX86LA302: Cessna 150D, N5917T, San Diego, CA, July 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1986, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Location: 32.7153° N, 117.1573° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Diego, CA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7153&lon=-117.1573&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA302

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A CESSNA 150D COLLIDED WITH THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHILE SPOTTING FISH APPROXIMATELY 5 MI FROM THE COAST. THE ACFT OWNER AND OPERATOR INDICATED THAT THE PLT WAS FAA LICENSED AND CURRENT. FAA RECORDS REVEALED THE PLT WAS ISSUED A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATED ALONG WITH HIS THIRD CLASS MEDICAL ON MAY 8, 1986. THE ACFT WAS SPOTTING FISH FOR A FISHING VESSEL ALSO OWNED BY THE ACFT OPERATOR. THE ACFT NORMALLY CIRCLED THE BOAT AT APPROXIMATELY 800 FT AGL AND REPORTED FISH SIGHTINGS VIA THE RADIO. THE FISHING VESSEL CREWMEMBERS HEARD THE ACFT IMPACT THE WATER APPROXIMATELY 100 FT FROM THE SHIP, BUT DID NOT SEE IT. THE ACFT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE SHIP VIA RADIO AND THERE WAS NO DISTRESS CALL. A CREWMEMBER STATED THERE DID NOT SEEM TO BE ANY CHANGE IN THE ENGINE NOISE PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE OPERATOR ALSO INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS LOST AT SEA. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 2,600 FEET OF WATER. THE STUDENT PLT IS MISSING AND PRESUMABLY FATALLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5917T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5917T-1989-08-23), registration cancelled 1989-08-23, S/N 15060617 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060617
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: John A. Kastlunger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1986
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDM, 25 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 19860723035509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860723035509A), Jul 23, 1986: Cessna 150D, San Diego, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft struck the water while spotting fish. Pilot and plane lost at sea. No apparent engine malfunction.

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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