# NTSB LAX89LA053: Cessna 150F, N6883F, Santa Maria, CA, November 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1988, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Maria, CA
- Coordinates: 34.820938, -120.409484 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8209&lon=-120.4095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FLOWN ALONG A RIDGELINE WHILE THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE LOOKING FOR AN OLD AIRPLANE WRECK. THE PILOT WAS DISTRACTED AND DID NOT NOTICE THE AIRPLANE WAS ENTERING A CANYON AND RISING TERRAIN. WHEN THE PILOTS ATTENTION WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE FLIGHT, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO MANEUVER OUT OF THE CANYON NOR WAS THERE ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO CLIMB OVER THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT MAINTAINED A STRAIGHT HEADING AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AND RISING TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6883F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6883F-1989-11-18), registration cancelled 1989-11-18, S/N 15063483 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15063483
- Airframe hours: 5288
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sr-9 Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 22, 1988, 88 hours before
- Departed: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 531 total, 262 in this make and model, 472 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19881119051469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881119051469A), Nov 19, 1988: Cessna 150F, Santa Maria, CA, Substantial damage. Searching for a lost aircraft at a low altitude, failed to notice box canyon and rising terrain. Flew into 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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