# NTSB SEA87FA129: Cessna 150G, N3736J, Vashon, WA, July 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1987, 17:53 local (Jul 4, 1987, 00:53 UTC)
- Place: Vashon, WA
- Coordinates: 47.420604, -122.450157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4206&lon=-122.4502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA129

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ON A ROUTINE INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. RADAR TRACK INDICATED AIRCRAFT ENGAGING IN MANEUVERS TYPICAL OF INSTRUCTIONAL HIGH WORK (STALLS/TURN/SLOW FLIGHT) FOLLOWED BY LEFT ORBIT ABOUT GRASS AIRSTRIP USED ONLY FOR PRACTICE EMERGENCY LANDING PROCEDURES. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING SOUND OF POWER CESSATION & OBSERVED AIRCRAFT MANEUVERING ABOUT AIRSTRIP. LAST RADAR TARGET SHOWED AIRCRAFT ABEAM FIELD AND NORTHBOUND STILL ENGAGED IN COUNTERCLOCKWISE TURN. ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED 390 FEET NORTH OF APPROACH END AND SLIGHTLY ACROSS EXTENDED CENTERLINE INDICATING AN OVERSHOOT. FLAPS WERE FOUND FULLY RETRACTED. CRASH DYNAMICS INDICATED A LOW ENERGY LEFT STALL/SPIN INTO GROUND. STUDENT HAD FLOWN ONLY ONCE IN PREVIOUS 117 DAYS (WITH ANOTHER INSTRUCTOR & IN A DIFFERENT LOCALE).

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/spin
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3736J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3736J-1996-08-21), registration cancelled 1996-08-21, S/N 15065036 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15065036
- Airframe hours: 6715
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Tech
- Registered owner: Sally Towle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1987, 90 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Airport: WA69, Wax Orchards

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 854 total, 15 in this make and model, 726 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 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 19870703066119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870703066119A), Jul 3, 1987: Cessna 150G, Vashon, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Approach too slow practicing simulated landing stalled. Turned into a spin. Unable to recover. Impacted the ground.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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