# NTSB LAX90LA256: Cessna 150, N1398Q, Santa Catalina, CA, July 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1990, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Catalina, CA
- Coordinates: 33.37931, -118.44947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3793&lon=-118.4495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA256

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE AND THE PILOTS IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE HAD BEEN FISH SPOTTING AT 1000 FEET (MSL) WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. HE WAS ABLE TO GET A RESTART BUT ONLY WITH PARTIAL POWER. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND DITCHED INTO THE OCEAN. THE PILOT CALCULATED APPROXIMATELY 40 GALLONS OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL REMAINING. THE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT OF THE CLOSEST OFFICIAL REPORTING STATION WAS 87 AND 64 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO THE ICING PROBABILITY  CHART. THE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT SPREAD CORRESPONDS TO A POINT ON THE CHART WITHIN THE 'SERIOUS ICING GLIDE POWER' RANGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1398Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1398Q-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 15072698, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072698
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Flores, Steven B.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: L9B, LONG BEACH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,631 total, 1,390 in this make and model, 1,574 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LGB

## 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 19900713025679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900713025679A), Jul 13, 1990: Cessna 150L, Santa Catalina, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit during fish spotting over ocean. Ditched. Aircraft sank. Using auto fuel and icing prevalent.

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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