# NTSB NYC90FA181: Cessna 150L, N18030, Palmer Township, PA, August 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1990, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Palmer Township, PA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA181

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE STUDENT PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN BUZZING A RESIDENTIAL AREA, AND HIS LACK OF AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS SECOND SOLO OUT OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. ACCORDING TO HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HE WAS TO GO TO THE PRACTICE AREA AND WORK ON HIGH ALTITUDE MANEUVERS. INSTEAD, HE WENT TO A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHERE HIS GRANDPARENTS LIVED, AND CIRCLED THEIR HOUSE AND A LOCAL SWIMMING POOL WHERE FRIENDS WERE. ALTITUDE REPORTS RANGED FROM 150 FT TO 300 FT AGL. HE WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP, THEN FALL OFF ON ONE WING, ENTER A SPIN AND STRIKE A CAR BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. WITNESSES INDICATED HE HAD TOLD SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THE NIGHT PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT THAT HE WOULD FLY BY THE SWIMMING POOL AND HIS GRANDPARENTS HOUSE THE NEXT DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18030](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18030-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 15073745, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073745
- Airframe hours: 3264
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: American Flight Academy
- Departed: ABE, ALLENTOWN, PA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 18 total, 17 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABE, 8 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 19900803030029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900803030029A), Aug 3, 1990: Cessna 150L, Palmer Township, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Solo student flying at tree top level circling waving to friends. Stalled in steep turn. Hit vehicle. Both burned.

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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