# NTSB LAX89LA143: Cessna 150J, N61315, Bermuda Dunes, CA, April 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1989, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Bermuda Dunes, CA
- Coordinates: 33.710231, -116.230331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7102&lon=-116.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA143

## Probable cause

IMPROPER ASSISTANCE BY GROUND PERSONNEL WHO INADVERTENTLY OVERLOADED THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT'S DELAY IN JETTISONING THE LOAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper assistance - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A BANNER TOW OPERATION, TWO BANNERS WERE SET ON THE GROUND FOR PICKUP. JUST PRIOR TO PICKUP BY ONE OF THE AIRPLANES, A GUST OF WIND BLEW ONE BANNER ON TOP OF THE OTHER . THE AIRPLANE PICKED UP BOTH BANNERS WITHOUT THE PILOT KNOWING. THE GROUND PERSONNEL NOTIFIED THE PILOT WHO STARTED A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT TO RELEASE THE BANNERS. HOWEVER, THE PILOT COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT RELEASED THE BANNERS AT LOW ALTITUDE AND SPEED AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB. THE PILOT OPTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61315](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61315-1991-10-16), registration cancelled 1991-10-16, S/N 15070958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070958
- Airframe hours: 3340
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Desert Air Ads
- Registered owner: Bloch, Clifford D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: BERMUDA DUNES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,699 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 30 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890401005159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890401005159A), Apr 1, 1989: Cessna STC150, Bermuda Dunes, CA, Substantial damage. Picked up 2 banners after wind blew another banner on top of original banner unable to stay aloft. Crashed landing.

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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