# NTSB LAX91LA197: Cessna 150, N45301, Fernley, NV, May 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1991, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Fernley, NV
- Coordinates: 39.56039, -119.170173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5604&lon=-119.1702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA197

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY ASSESS THE CLIMB PERFORMANCE OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE DUE TO BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vxse) - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WITH ONE PASSENGER DEPARTED A RURAL GRAVEL AIRSTRIP FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. THE PILOT UTILIZED A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF PROCEDURE BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB AFTER RETRACTING THE AIRPLANE FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE, LOADED WITHIN .3 POUNDS OF ITS GROSS WEIGHT, STARTED TO SETTLE TOWARD RISING TERRAIN AFTER ONLY CLIMBING ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD ABOUT A MILE FROM THE AIRSTRIP AND DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL RESPONDED AND NOTED THAT THE AIRPLANE AND PILOT BORE THE ODOR OF ALCOHOL BEVERAGES. AFTER AN INVESTIGATION, THE PILOT WAS ARRESTED FOR OPERATING AN AIRCRAFT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45301](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45301-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N 15076831 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076831
- Airframe hours: 4059
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Miller
- Registered owner: Robert Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1991, 5 hours before
- Departed: NONE, FERNLEY, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 25 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 19910505014179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910505014179A), May 5, 1991: Cessna 150M, Fernley, NV, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after take off from gravel strip. Near stall and rising terrain, landing dirt road.

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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