# NTSB LAX87FA298: Cessna 150M, N704PG, Newport Beach, CA, August 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1987, 20:27 local (Aug 8, 1987, 03:27 UTC)
- Place: Newport Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.609306, -117.890731 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6093&lon=-117.8907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA298
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA298

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - weather condition - clouds
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON A DARK NIGHT BENEATH A SCATTERED TO BROKEN MARINE LAYER OF STRATUS CLOUDS THE PLT MADE A LOW ALTITUDE PLEASURE FLIGHT 1/4 MI OFF SHORE. THE ACFT ENTERED A GRADUAL DESCENT, COLLIDED WITH THE OCEAN AND THE PLT DROWNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704PG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704PG-1990-01-09), registration cancelled 1990-01-09, S/N 15078761 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078761
- Airframe hours: 3078
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: R.I. Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Fergus C. Lesla G. Fay
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1987, 51 hours before
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA

## 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; toxicology performed; flight hours: 453 total, 20 in this make and model, 328 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA, 5 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 19870807042969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870807042969A), Aug 7, 1987: Cessna 150M, Newport Beach, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Flying low over ocean at night descended into water. Found stuck valve. Gyro horizon inoperative prior departure.

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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