# NTSB LAX91FA242: Cessna C-A150L, N6019J, Cottonwood, CA, June 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1991, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood, CA
- Coordinates: 40.329204, -122.449104 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3292&lon=-122.4491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA242

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL LOW PASS DURING WHICH HE PERFORMED AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER WITH INADEQUATE AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LOW ALTITUDE AND THE TAILWIND CONDITION WHICH CREATED THE VISUAL PERCEPTION TO THE PILOT OF HAVING AN AIRSPEED HIGHER THAN THAT WHICH HE ACTUALLY HAD.  ALSO, THE PILOT USED EXCEEDINGLY POOR JUDGMENT BY HIS PERFORMANCE OF THE AEROBATIC MANEUVER NEAR HOMES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKE A LOW PASS OVER HIS PRIVATELY OWNED AIRSTRIP BETWEEN 50 AND 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL).  THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE PULLED UP, CLIMBED TO A MAXIMUM ALTITUDE OF 200 FEET AGL, & MADE A COMPLETE AILERON ROLL.  THE WITNESS FURTHER REPORTED THAT AT THE COMPLETION OF THE ROLL THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING SLOWLY. SUDDENLY, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A RIGHT 60 TO 90 DEGREE BANK, AND THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE DROPPED.  THE AIRPLANE RAPIDLY DESCENDED, & WHILE IN A RIGHT WING LOW AND NOSE LOW ATTITUDE IT COLLIDED INTO THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE.  THE PILOT HAD A HISTORY OF FLYING LOW OVER THE AIRSTRIP TO SAY HELLO TO THE RESIDENTS.  ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THE PROFESSIONAL 21,300-HOUR PILOT, FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, AND AIR TAXI OPERATOR, HAD PERFORMED LOW LEVEL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS DURING AIR SHOWS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6019J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6019J-2013-02-08), registration cancelled 2013-02-08, S/N A1500319, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-A150L
- Registry model: [Cessna A150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150l) (registry code 2071828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1500319
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael J. Rust, doing business as The Hangar
- Registered owner: Michael J. Rust
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: RDD, REDDING, CA
- Destination: RBL, RED BLUFF, CA
- Airport: runway 16

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 21,300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910604019559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910604019559A), Jun 4, 1991: Cessna A150L, Cottonwood, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made high speed downwind pass over Private strip. Pulled up steeply,rolled,recovered. Pitch up stalled and crashed.

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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