# NTSB LAX88LA018: Cessna 150L, N11176, Carpenteria, CA, October 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1987, 20:00 local (Oct 19, 1987, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Carpenteria, CA
- Coordinates: 34.429031, -119.520523 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4290&lon=-119.5205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER AS HE APPROACHED HIS DESTINATION. AFTER DESCENDING TO 1,500 FEET MSL, HE ATTEMPTED TO FOLLOW A HIGHWAY TO THE OCEAN BUT INADVERTENTLY ENCOUNTERED FOG. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN, AFTER SPOTTING LIGHTS FROM HOUSES SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET BENEATH HIS POSITION, BUT THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THAT WAS COMPLETELY OBSCURED BY FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11176](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11176-1989-10-02), registration cancelled 1989-10-02, S/N 15075240 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075240
- Airframe hours: 3682
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Morrow, Gregory A.
- Registered owner: Gregory A Morrow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1987, 12 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 154 total, 147 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 15 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 19871018060069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871018060069A), Oct 18, 1987: Cessna 150L, Carpenteria, CA, Destroyed. Encountered fog near destination became disoriented and collided with a fog shrouded ridge.

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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