# NTSB MKC86LA049: Cessna 150B, N7381X, Gove, KS, January 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1986, 23:36 local (Jan 13, 1986, 05:36 UTC)
- Place: Gove, KS
- Coordinates: 38.95005, -100.489997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9500&lon=-100.4900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA049

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF FM THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR GOVE, KANSAS, THE AIRCRAFT WAS WITNESSED TO DESCEND TOWARDS THE GROUND UNTIL IMPACT. THE WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT, WHO IS A PLT AND THE OWNER OF THE AIRSTRIP, STATED THAT AFTER THE ACFT CLRD THE AIRSTRIP ENVIRONMENT WHICH WAS WELL LIT, THE ACFT WAS SEEN MAKING A TURN AND DESCENDING. THE WITNESS STATED THAT AFTER YOU LEAVE THE LIGHTED AREA OF THE AIRSTRIP IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DARK AND HORIZON REFERENCES ARE LOST AND HE THOUGHT THAT THE PLT PROBABLY EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF VISUAL CUES AND FLEW THE ACFT INTO THE GROUND. THE WITNESS STATED THAT ON NIGHT DEPARTURES FROM THAT AIRSTRIP, HE HAS HAD TO FLY HIS ACFT SOLELY BY REFERENCE TO INSTRUMENTS, BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES ON THE HORIZON. NEITHER THE PLT OR WITNESS INDICATED THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ACFT DURING ANY PHASE OF THE FLT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO REMEMBER ANYTHING AFTER DEPARTING AND CLEARING ALL OBSTACLES NEAR THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7381X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7381X-1988-06-07), registration cancelled 1988-06-07, S/N 15059481 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150B
- Registry model: [Cessna 150B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150b) (registry code 2071806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15059481
- Airframe hours: 4676
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Detwiler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1985
- Departed: GOVE, KS
- Destination: PITT, PRATT, KS
- Airport: PVT, Lungran

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 411 total, 387 in this make and model, 378 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860112000659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860112000659A), Jan 12, 1986: Cessna 150B, Gove, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot was disoriented after night takeoff. Started a turn and flew into the ground.

## Other investigations on N7381X (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC67D0114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67D0114), Aug 5, 1966: Cessna 150 (N7381X), Mulvane, KS, substantial damage

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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