# NTSB LAX88FA103: Cessna 150J, N61305, Douglas, AZ, February 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1988, 08:47 local (15:47 UTC)
- Place: Douglas, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.540674, -109.460037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5407&lon=-109.4600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 1, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25808/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA103

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO A STALL/SPIN BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND HIS STUDENT, WHO HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED HIS PRIVATE AIRMAN'S CERTIFICATE, DEPARTED ON AN EARLY MORNING TRAINING FLIGHT. THE PRIVATE AIRMAN WAS CONTINUING HIS TRAINING TOWARDS A COMMERCIAL AIRMAN'S CERTIFICATE. A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED FOR THE FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DISCOVERED MISSING APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE AND AN AERIAL SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT FIVE MILES FROM THE AIRPORT, APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS AFTER THE SEARCH BEGAN. THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS TURNING LEFT IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AT THE MOMENT OF GROUND CONTACT. THE HORNS OF BOTH CONTROL YOKES WERE BROKEN. THE PROP SHOWED EVIDENCE OF ENGINE POWER AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61305](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61305-1991-02-28), registration cancelled 1991-02-28, S/N 15070951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070951
- Airframe hours: 2468
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cochise Community College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1987, 14 hours before
- Departed: P03, DOUGLAS, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,000 total, 75 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DUG, 3 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 19880202001699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880202001699A), Feb 2, 1988: Cessna STC150, Douglas, AZ, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Aircraft wreckage found 5 miles from airport. No witnesses.

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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