# NTSB LAX90LA182: Cessna 150H, N7156S, Goleta, CA, May 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1990, 21:31 local (May 18, 1990, 04:31 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Coordinates: 34.500072, -120.119941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5001&lon=-120.1199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26808/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA182

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOST FROM VISUAL CONTACT BY THE TOWER WHILE PERFORMING NIGHT TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS, AND PRESUMED TO HAVE CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN. AMOUNG THE FEW ITEMS RECOVERED WERE A PAIR OF WHEEL CHOCKS WITH THE AIRCRAFT'S NUMBER. DEPARTURE FROM RWY 15R IS OUT OVER THE OCEAN. THE PILOT'S LAST LOGGED NIGHT TIME WAS 9/89 AND CONSISTED OF 0.2 HRS. THE PILOT'S TOTAL LOGGED NIGHT TIME WAS 6.7 HRS, 6 OF WHICH WERE DUAL. INJURIES PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7156S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7156S-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 15067856, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15067856
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Whitehead, Ronald, doing business as Sierra Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SBA
- Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara, runway 15R, 4,183 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 102 total, 23 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: SBA, 1 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 19900518019769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900518019769A), May 18, 1990: Cessna 150H, Santa Barbara, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Presumed to have crashed at sea on night flight.

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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