# NTSB MKC87FA044: Cessna 150D, N4372U, Central City, NE, February 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1987, 03:05 local (09:05 UTC)
- Place: Central City, NE
- Coordinates: 41.110733, -98.000885 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1107&lon=-98.0009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA044

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 0305 CST, WITNESSES IN VEHICLES SAW THE ACFT LNDG LGT AS THEY WERE DRIVING ALONG A HWY. THEY RPRTD THE LGT WAS MOVING ERRATICALLY AS THE ACFT WAS PROCEEDING ALONG THE HWY AT LOW ALT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A UTILITY POLE & POWER LINES, THEN CRASHED & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. THE OWNER TOLD THE PLT, WHO WAS A MECHANIC, TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON THE ACFT, BUT NOT TO FLY IT. A MEDICAL EXAM INDICATED THE OCCUPANTS DIED IMMEDIATELY FROM THERMAL BURNS. A BLOOD CHECK OF THE PLT & PAX SHOWED ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.143% & 0.198%, RESPECTIVELY. THE PLT'S LAST MED CERT WAS DATED 10/31/84.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4372U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4372U-1993-01-04), registration cancelled 1993-01-04, S/N 15060372 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060372
- Airframe hours: 4249
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Darick D.Barnhart
- Registered owner: Darick D Barnhart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1986
- Departed: 07K, CENTRAL CITY, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870201001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870201001829A), Feb 1, 1987: Cessna 150D, Central City, NE, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft struck powerlines and ground at night. Pilot intoxicated. Unauthorized use of aircraft. No medical.

## Other investigations on N4372U (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 LAX66F0314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66F0314), Apr 8, 1966: Cessna 150 (N4372U), Hawthorne, CA, 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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