# NTSB LAX88LA154: Cessna 150, N18136, Pine Valley, CA, April 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1988, 17:20 local (Apr 5, 1988, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Pine Valley, CA
- Location: 32.8415° N, 116.5107° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pine Valley, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8415&lon=-116.5107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA154

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NUMBER ONE CONNECTING ROD BEARING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S RELATIVE INEXPERIENCE AND HIS INABILITY TO JUDGE THE GLIDE RATIO OF THE AIRPLANE AND COMPLETING A FORCED LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overtemperature
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18136](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18136-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 15073813, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-73813
- Airframe hours: 4865
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles Farrar
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 8 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880404007789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880404007789A), Apr 4, 1988: Cessna 150L, Pine Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Connecting rod bearing came loose, forced a landing in trees.

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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