# NTSB LAX92LA095: Cessna 150J, N50810, Pinyon, CA, January 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1992, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Pinyon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.630584, -116.590141 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6306&lon=-116.5901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA095

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING TO ENTER A MOUNTAINOUS AREA AT A LOW ALTITUDE, AND HIS IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE.  FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT RELATED TO THE INSTRUCTOR'S LOWERING OF THE WING FLAPS DURING A TIME WHEN A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE TERRAIN WAS RISING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb - to cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper altitude - not selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate
  - lowering of flaps - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

DURING A DUAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) FLEW INTO AN AREA OF RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE CFI PLANNED TO INSTRUCT HIS STUDENT IN MOUNTAIN FLYING TECHNIQUES. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED AN UPDRAFT AND THEN A DOWNDRAFT. THE CFI LOWERED THE WING FLAPS TO THE 10 DEGREE POSITION IN A BELIEF THAT SUCH ACTION WOULD ENHANCE THE AIRPLANE'S RATE OF CLIMB. THE AIRPLANE'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE WAS NOT ENHANCED AND REMAINED INADEQUATE TO OUT CLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND THE SIDE OF A HILL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50810](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50810-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 15069566, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069566
- Airframe hours: 2826
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Professionals
- Registered owner: Richard Egan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 20, 1991, 48 hours before
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 485 total, 50 in this make and model, 415 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19920119000759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920119000759A), Jan 19, 1992: Cessna 150J, Pinyon, CA, Substantial damage. CFI demonstrating mountain flying. Encountered downdraft. Unable recover,struck trees. Too low lee side mountain.

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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