# NTSB LAX92FA112: Cessna 150H, N22357, N. Palm Springs, CA, February 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1992, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: N. Palm Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.92078, -116.560935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9208&lon=-116.5609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA112

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERS AS A RESULT OF HIS PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT DUE TO ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN BUZZING HIS WORK LOCALE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT BUZZED THE LOCALE WHERE HE WORKED, AND WHILE MANEUVERING BETWEEN 100 AND 500 FT AGL MADE A SERIES OF 45-60 DEG BANK TURNS. A PILOT WITNESS REPORTED THIS ACTIVITY LASTED FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE AIRPLANE ABRUPTLY PITCHED UP, STALLED, AND DESCENDED IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE UNTIL IMPACTING THE DESERT TERRAIN. THE PILOT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 120 MG/DL. IN ADDITION, METHAMPHETAMINE AND AMPHETAMINE WERE DETECTED IN THE PILOT'S BLOOD SAMPLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22357](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22357-1992-05-13), registration cancelled 1992-05-13, S/N 15068234 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068234
- Airframe hours: 3886
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel & Calvin Nielson
- Registered owner: Daniel & Calvin Nielson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1991, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 125 total, 125 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSP, 7 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 19920207002309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920207002309A), Feb 7, 1992: Cessna 150H, North Palm Spri, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Buzzed area. Stalled in steep pullup during slow flight. No medical or rating,alcohol and drugs in toxicology test.

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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