# NTSB LAX87LA233: Cessna 150H, N23280, Porterville, CA, June 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1987, 12:07 local (19:07 UTC)
- Place: Porterville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.95927, -118.920303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9593&lon=-118.9203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA233

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 150H COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AFTER A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT STATED HIS TANKS WERE INDICATING 1/4 WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE 'MISJUDGED LANDING SPEED AND ELEVATION' AND WHEN HE TURNED TO AVOID POWER LINES, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE PILOT ALSO INDICATED THAT HIS SPOUSE HAD PASSED AWAY TWO MONTHS PRIOR AND THAT HE WAS UNDER A GREAT DEAL OF STRESS. THE PILOT STATED, ' MY JUDGEMENT CAPABILITIES WERE SIMPLY NOT WITH ME 100% THAT DAY.' THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY THE COUNTY SHERIFF AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANKS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS WERE FILLED THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23280](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23280-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 15068845, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8845
- Airframe hours: 4634
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles H. Partee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1987, 4 hours before
- Departed: SVE, SUSANVILLE, CA
- Destination: LBG, LONG BEACH, CA
- Airport: PTV, Porterville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 181 total, 160 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 42 nm away

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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