# NTSB LAX90LA125: Cessna 150J, N60025, Livermore, CA, March 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1990, 18:45 local (Mar 24, 1990, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.679279, -121.750877 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6793&lon=-121.7509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA125

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ANTICIPATE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS.

## 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
  - single engine aircraft
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BOTH PILOTS INDICATED THAT WHILE ENROUTE THEY PERFORMED A SERIES OF CHANDELLES AND LAZY EIGHTS. AFTER THE MANEUVERS WERE COMPLETED AND THE FLIGHT WAS AGAIN ON COURSE FOR MODESTO, THE ENGINE REPORTEDLY 'SPUTTERED' SUDDENLY, THEN QUIT COMPLETELY. ENGINE POWER COULD NOT BE RESTORED AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA AT DUSK. ALL FUEL LINES WERE FOUND TO BE INTACT AND PROPERLY SECURED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPONENT FITTINGS. APPROXIMATELY 16 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS AND NO SYSTEM OR ACCESSORY ABNORMALITY WAS FOUND. THE CLOSEST OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORTING STATION WAS REPORTING A TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT OF 59 AND 50 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY. THE CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART NOTES THAT THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT FALL INTO AN AREA DEFINED IN THE CHART AS 'SERIOUS ICING --CRUISE OR CLIMB POWER'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60025](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60025-1992-02-05), registration cancelled 1992-02-05, S/N 15070012 (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: 15070012
- Airframe hours: 6345
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert S. Bertron
- Registered owner: Robert S Bertron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 26, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Destination: MOD, MODESTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,979 total, 74 in this make and model, 1,457 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD, 18 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 19900323005269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900323005269A), Mar 23, 1990: Cessna 150J, Livermore, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit returning after lazy 8 pratice. Struck trees on forced landing on mountain. Carburetor ice conditions.

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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