# NTSB LAX91FA103: Cessna 172, N8551B, Bullhead City, CA, February 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1991, 08:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Bullhead City, CA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION AND PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT FROM FATIGUE; HE ALSO FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. THE LINEMAN'S FAILURE TO SECURE THE ACCESS DOOR AND THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - door - not secured
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, fbo personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - artcc service - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE BULLHEAD CITY ARPT ON THE EVENING PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. ROOMS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY SLEEP BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLT. DURING THAT EVENING AND EARLY MORNING THE PILOT CONSUMED 2 BEERS AND 2 MIXED DRINKS. HE CONSUMED THE LAST DRINK AT ABOUT 0400 HOURS ABOUT 5 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 0830 HOURS. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A DEAD BATTERY. THE FBO PROVIDED A JUMP START. THE LINEMAN FAILED TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE ELECTRICAL ACCESS DOOR AND SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF THE ACCESS DOOR OPENED AND BEGAN TO FLAP. THINKING THAT THE DOOR WOULD COME OFF AND STRIKE THE WINDSCREEN THE PILOT REDUCED THE ENGINE POWER TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING. HE THEN ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. DURING THE TURN THE PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, STALLED THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED ABT 500 YDS NORTH OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8551B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8551B-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 36251, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36251
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-360-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bagdad Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bagdad Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ
- Airport: P06, Bullhead Laughlin, runway 35, 4,648 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: P06, 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 19910217002589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910217002589A), Feb 17, 1991: Cessna 172, Bullhead City, AZ, Substantial damage. Battery dead,lineman jump started aircraft cowl. Door open on takeoff. Started to land in field then turned and crash

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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