# NTSB MKC87FA048: Cessna A150K, N8459M, West Memphis, AR, February 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1987, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: West Memphis, AR
- Coordinates: 35.140071, -90.179992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1401&lon=-90.1800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA048

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS MAKING LOW PASSES OVER THE EDGE OF A TRAILER PARK AND AT THE END OF EACH PASS, IT WOULD CLIMB ALMOST STRAIGHT UP AND THEN MAKE A STEEP BANKED TURN AND DIVE FOR ANOTHER PASS. AT THE END OF THE LAST PULLUP, THE AIRPLANE MADE AN ABRUPT STEEP TURN AND DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8459M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8459M-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N A15000159, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A150K
- Registry model: [Cessna A150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150k) (registry code 2071824) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A15000159
- Airframe hours: 3536
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: West Memphis Jet Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1986, 7 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 188 total, 1 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 14 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 19870207002149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870207002149A), Feb 7, 1987: Cessna A150K, West Memphis, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft stalled while buzzing a trailer park and impacted the ground.

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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