# NTSB MIA88FA023: Cessna 150E, N4081U, Aguadilla, PR, October 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1987, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Aguadilla, PR
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT MANEUVERING A LOW ALT OVER OCEAN WATER NEAR A SHORELINE. THEY SAW IT PULL UP SHARPLY TO CLEAR A COMMERCIAL BOAT DOCK, THEN NOSE OVER & IMPACT THE WATER IN A NOSE LOW, RGT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE ACFT SANK & CAME TO REST IN 30' OF WATER. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.13% & A URINE/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.20%. THE ACFT OWNER FILED AN ACFT THEFT RPRT AFTER THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4081U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4081U-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 15061481, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150E
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061481
- Airframe hours: 3833
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mena, John D.
- Registered owner: John D Mena
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987, 137 hours before
- Departed: BQN, AGUADILLA, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BQN, 5 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 19871030081669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871030081669A), Oct 30, 1987: Cessna 150E, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engaged in power off dives near a beach then pull up full power. Stalled and crashed in water. Had stolen aircraft.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.