# NTSB LAX87LA215: Cessna 150F, N8978S, Bermuda Dunes, CA, May 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1987, 17:20 local (May 26, 1987, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Bermuda Dunes, CA
- Coordinates: 33.709945, -116.230918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7099&lon=-116.2309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA215

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT ENCOUNTERED STRONG HEAD WINDS WHILE CRUISING X-COUNTRY AT 6000 FT MSL. THE ENGINE LOST POWER APRX 14 MILES EAST OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION AND DURING DESCENT TOWARD THE DESTINATION THE POWER RETURNED SEVERAL TIMES BUT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. THE ACFT WAS LANDED APRX 200 FT SHORT OF THE RWY WITHOUT POWER. POST ACC INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED APRX 1 GAL OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK AND APRX 2 GALS IN THE RT TANK. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8978S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8978S-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 15062278, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15062278
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Berney, Ray Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: P20, PARKER, AZ
- Destination: UDO, BERMUDA DUNES, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: UDD, Bermuda Dunes, runway 29, 4,030 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 472 total, 193 in this make and model, 455 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRM, 11 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 19870525015839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870525015839A), May 25, 1987: Cessna 150F, Bermuda Dunes, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft impacted short of the runway. Headwinds a fuel factor.

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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