# NTSB MIA85LA190: Cessna 150J, N51261, New Smyrna Bch, FL, June 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1985, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna Bch, FL
- Location: 29.0258° N, 80.9270° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Smyrna Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0258&lon=-80.9270&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA190

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING A BANNER TOWING FLIGHT THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE IN THE AREA OF A THUNDERSTORM AND LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. HE STATED HE JETTISONED THE BANNER JUST BEFORE IMPACT BUT STILL COULD NOT CONTROL THE ACFT. THE ACFT STRUCK A SMALL MANGROVE ISLAND AND FLIPPED INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51261](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51261-1988-07-21), registration cancelled 1988-07-21, S/N 15069878 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-69-878
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: American Banner Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1984
- Departed: 34J, NEW SMYRNA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,470 in this make and model, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Observed at: DAB, 27 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 19850612067629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850612067629A), Jun 12, 1985: Cessna 150J, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Destroyed. Unable to control aircraft towing banner after encountering thunderstorm. Crashed on mangrove island.

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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