# NTSB LAX90LA049: Cessna 150D, N4390U, Inyokern, CA, December 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1989, 08:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Inyokern, CA
- Coordinates: 35.879066, -118.149291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8791&lon=-118.1493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA049

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHEN CLIMATIC CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL SURVEILLANCE OF HIKING TRAILS FROM ABOUT 200' AGL AND THAT HE WAS USING A SLOW CRUISE POWER SETTING OF 2000 RPM. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS 35 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE NEAREST WEATHER REPORTING FACILITY LOCATED ABOUT 7 MILES EAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED THE DEW POINT AT 28 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. AFTER FLYING AT SLOW CRUISE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4390U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4390U-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 15060390, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060390
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Anderson Aviation
- Departed: IYK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 631 total, 350 in this make and model, 595 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Observed at: NID, 7 nm away

## 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 19891206050049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891206050049A), Dec 6, 1989: Cessna 150D, Inyokern, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Force landed on uphill slope and rolled backward. Damaged tail. Did not use carb heat.

## Other investigations on N4390U (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX70DUG29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70DUG29), Apr 20, 1970: Cessna 150 (N4390U), El Monte, CA, substantial damage

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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