# NTSB SEA87LA154: Cessna 150M, N8771U, Austin, NV, August 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1987, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Austin, NV
- Coordinates: 39.54055, -117.189376 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5406&lon=-117.1894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING UP A CANYON WHEN HE REALIZED THE CANYON WAS CLOSING & HE HAD NO WAY OF TURNING AROUND. HE WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO SEVERAL SMALL PINE TREES & WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. THE DENSITY ALT AT THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 9800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8771U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8771U-1989-03-14), registration cancelled 1989-03-14, S/N 15077984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077984
- Airframe hours: 3173
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Mcphie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 3, 1986, 12 hours before
- Departed: AUSTIN, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 64 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19870804044099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870804044099A), Aug 4, 1987: Cessna 150M, Austin, NV, Substantial damage. Aircraft mushed into trees in box canyon,unable to out climb rising terrain at 9800 feet density altitude.

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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