# NTSB MIA90FA163: Cessna 150J, N60518, Baker Hill, AL, August 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1990, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Baker Hill, AL
- Location: 31.7769° N, 85.2954° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bakerhill, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7769&lon=-85.2954&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA163

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. FACTORS WERE AIRSPEED NOT MAINTAINED, ALTITUDE INADEQUATE FOR SAFE RECOVERY, AND ATTENTION DIVERTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL OBSERVATION AT A LOW ALTITUDE IN A RENTAL AIRPLANE ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE MARIJUANA CROPS. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND IN AN OPEN FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE REVEALED NO PREEXISTING FAILURES. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON THE GROUND HAD HEARD THE AIRPLANE FLYING AT LOW LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60518](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60518-1993-02-25), registration cancelled 1993-02-25, S/N 15070368 (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: 15070368
- Airframe hours: 3342
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dixon Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1990, 11 hours before
- Departed: EUF, EUFAULA, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 24 nm away

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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