# NTSB LAX88LA262: Cessna 150K, N6226G, Dana Point, CA, July 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1988, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Dana Point, CA
- Coordinates: 33.470878, -117.699867 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4709&lon=-117.6999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA262

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A FISH SPOTTING OPERATION OVER THE OCEAN, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND VIBRATE. THE ENGINE QUIT COMPLETELY SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG LOST POWER THEN SEIZED. THE STARTER WOULD ENGAGE BUT WOULD NOT ROTATE THE ENGINE. THE DEPTH OF THE WATER AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS APPROX 3600 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6226G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6226G-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 15071726, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071726
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cobley, Dennis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AVX, AVALON, CA
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 150 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19880717026939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880717026939A), Jul 17, 1988: Cessna 150K, Dana Point, CA, Destroyed. Engine lost power during fish spotting and ditched in ocean. Aircraft not recovered.

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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