# NTSB SEA87FA051: Cessna 150J, N50922, Vancouver, WA, January 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1987, 15:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Vancouver, WA
- Coordinates: 45.720447, -122.73986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7204&lon=-122.7399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, cruise
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - maneuver - intentional, dual student (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - expectancy, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,spar - failure,total (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNING FROM STAGE 3 INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT DURING WHICH INSTRUCTOR NORMALLY ALLOWED STUDENT TO FLY. EVIDENCE INDICATES AIRCRAFT PASSED IN VICINITY OF HEAVY BIRD ACTIVITY AND STUDENT EXECUTED NOSE DOWN BIRD AVOIDANCE MANEUVER. INSTRUCTOR, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS POSSIBLY RELATED TO PREVIOUS BIRD STRIKE OCCURRENCE, EXECUTED A COUNTER MANEUVER (ROLLING PULLUP) WHICH RESULTED IN DESIGN LIMITATIONS OF RIGHT WING BEING EXCEEDED. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PILOT IMPAIRMENT NOR AIRCRAFT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50922](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50922-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 15069645, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069645
- Airframe hours: 5174
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Coe I. Durland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 15, 1987, 22 hours before
- Departed: 60S, VANCOUVER, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,196 total, 373 in this make and model, 1,996 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 11 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 19870129001279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870129001279A), Jan 29, 1987: Cessna 150J, Vancouver, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Witness heard explosive sound, saw aircraft falling minus right wing. Wing separated due to overload.

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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