# NTSB LAX88FA309: Cessna 150J, N60547, Hemet, CA, September 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1988, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Hemet, CA
- Location: 33.7341° N, 116.9968° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hemet, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7341&lon=-116.9968&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA309

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED AT WHICH THE AIRCRAFT IS CONTROLLABLE. GUSTY WINDS, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDES AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING AND TO CONDUCT AN EVALUATION WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60547](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60547-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 15070391, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070391
- Airframe hours: 5134
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sundance Land & Livestock Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: HEMET, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 100 total, 60 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 30 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 19880904036739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880904036739A), Sep 4, 1988: Cessna 150J, Hemet, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Appears pilot stalled aircraft and entered a spin while searching area for missing person. Was too low to recover.

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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