# NTSB LAX89LA236: Cessna 150M, N704YY, Venice, CA, July 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1989, 10:21 local (17:21 UTC)
- Place: Venice, CA
- Coordinates: 34.010601, -118.460411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0106&lon=-118.4604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA236

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION AND INSPECTION OF THE CARBURETOR THROTTLE LINKAGE ARM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - other (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND THE STUDENT PILOT WERE PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. JUST AFTER THE SECOND TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE POWER DROPPED TO IDLE. DESPITE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, THE ENGINE POWER WOULD NOT INCREASE AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. DURING THE DESCENT, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED WIRES AND A TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE THROTTLE ARM HAD FALLEN OFF THE CARBURETOR SHAFT. THE UNIT ALSO HAD NOT BEEN SAFETIED IN PLACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704YY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704YY-1995-08-19), registration cancelled 1995-08-19, S/N 15078990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078990
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Danforth Aviation
- Registered owner: Milliken, Mikel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 20, 1989
- Departed: SMO
- Airport: SMO, Santa Monica Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,782 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,270 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19890707021129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890707021129A), Jul 7, 1989: Cessna 150M, Santa Monica, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power but engine continued to idle. Struck powerlines and traffic light on landing. Throttle arm came loose.

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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