# NTSB LAX87LA020: Cessna 150L, N18737, Pacoima, CA, October 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1986, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.250408, -118.410301 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2504&lon=-118.4103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REFUELED THE ACFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG BY USING THE BATTERY. HE HAND PROPPED THE ENG WHICH STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE ACFT BEGAN TO MOVE UNATTENDED & THE PLT CLUNG TO THE LEFT WING STRUT, BUT RELINQUISHED HIS GRIP AFTER THE ACFT MOVED APRX 20 FT. THE ACFT CONTINUED & STRUCK 2 OTHER SINGLE ENG ACFT BEFORE STOPPING. A WITNESS SHUT DOWN THE ENG BY TURNING OFF THE MAGNETOS. POLICE, PARAMEDICS & WITNESSES NOTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT'S BREATH. A POLICE OFFICER ALSO NOTED THAT THE PLT'S SPEECH WAS 'THICK/SLURRED.'  THE INJURED PLT WAS TAKEN TO A MEDICAL CENTER, BUT HE LEFT BEFORE BEING CHECKED FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE & THE PLT WERE IN A BAR PRIOR TO THE ATTEMPTED FLT & THAT THE PLT HAD OFFERED TO FLY HIM TO BAKERSFIELD, CA. THE PLT'S LAST MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 12/28/82; AT THAT TIME, HE RPRTD HE HAD ACCUMULATED 1000 HRS OF FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18737](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18737), registered now, S/N 15074075, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074075
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gabrish, Alfred E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WHP
- Destination: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Airport: WHP, Whiteman

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 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 19861018049269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861018049269A), Oct 18, 1986: Cessna 150L, Pacoima, CA, Substantial damage. The unoccupied aircraft struck two parked planes after the pilot hand propped the engine. Pilot had been drinking.

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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