# NTSB SEA85LA068: Cessna 150F, N6812F, Nampa, ID, March 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1985, 21:30 local (Mar 6, 1985, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Nampa, ID
- Coordinates: 43.659938, -116.630485 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6599&lon=-116.6305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA068

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - communications equipment - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - heading indicator - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING AT NGT IN THE LCL PRACTICE AREA SOUTH OF NAMPA, THE PLT THOUGHT HE HAD FLOWN INTO IMC, BUT THE WX WAS GOOD.HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE GROUND, SO HE MADE A 180 DEG TURN, THEN NOTED PROBLEMS SEEING HIS INSTRUMENT PANEL. SUSPECTING PSBL CARBON MONOXIDE, HE TURNED OFF THE HEAT & OPENED THE AIR VENTS, BUT HE THEN EXPERIENCE TUNNEL VISION & BECAME LOST & DISORIENTED. HE PLACED HIS HEAD SET NEAR THE MAG COMPASS WHICH CAUSED AN ERRONEOUS READING. WHILE SEEKING HELP FROM ATC, THE PLT SET HIS HDG INDCR (DGI) TO AGREE WITH HIS MAG COMPASS. ATC TRIED TO ASSIST BY GIVING A DF STEER & PROVIDINGVECTORS DURING A CLIMB TO OBTAIN RADAR CONTACT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT IMPACTED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ALT OF APRX 4800'. ATC HAD PROVIDED A CORRECT STEER TWD THE ARPT, BUT THE ACFT CRASHED WHILE TRAVELING AWAY FROM THE ARPT. RESCUE WAS DELAYED DUE TO WX & THE PLT TURNING OFF THE ELT FOR A TIME. ATC TAPES VERIFIED NORMAL CONVERSATION UNTIL THE PLT HAD SOUNDS OF PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT WITH HVY BREATHING, SLOW SPEECH, & DIFFICULTY FOLLOWING ATC INSTRUCTIONS; REASON UNKNOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6812F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6812F-2020-10-21), registration cancelled 2020-10-21, S/N 15063412, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15063412
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boyd W. Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1984, 79 hours before
- Departed: BOI, BOISE, ID
- Destination: BOI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,250 total, 52 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOI, 26 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 19850305005999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850305005999A), Mar 5, 1985: Cessna 150F, Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot had visual problem during night flight. Impacted terrain while ATC was trying to get positive identification.

## Other investigations on N6812F (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 DEN72FTE49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72FTE49), Dec 15, 1971: Cessna 150 (N6812F), Littleton, CO, 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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