# NTSB SEA83FA178: Cessna 150, N4446U, Granite Falls, WA, August 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1983, 09:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Granite Falls, WA
- Coordinates: 48.050693, -121.739379 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0507&lon=-121.7394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ENGINE WAS IMBEDDED 4 FT INTO THE GROUND. ALL COMPONENTS OF THE ACFT WERE ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF THE IMPACT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT IN A LEFT TURN BEFORE FALLING INTO A LEFT SPIN FOR 3/4 TURN AND STRIKING THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL ATTITUDE. A BURST OF ENGINE POWER WAS HEARD PRIOR TO IMPACT. A LOCAL PILOT WHO HAD FLOWN WITH THE OPERATOR IN THE ACCIDENT ACFT 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THEMISHAP NOTED THAT THE AIRSPEED WAS READING ABOUT 15 MPH HIGH WITH INCIPIENT STALL CHARACTERISTICS NOTED WHEN AIRSPEED READINGS AS HIGH AS 70 MPH. THE OWNER STATED HE WOULD HAVE THE INSTRUMENT RECALIBRATED. NO EVIDENCE OF THIS WORK BEING DONE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4446U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4446U-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 15060446, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150 60446
- Airframe hours: 4834
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Delwin M. Wentz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1983, 1 hours before
- Airport: WA25, Green Valley, runway 18, 1,325 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 481 total, 440 in this make and model, 436 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19830814040699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830814040699A), Aug 14, 1983: Cessna 150D, Granite Falls, OR, Destroyed. Witness observed aircraft in a left turn then entering a left spin until striking ground in vertical attitude.

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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