# NTSB SEA89FA176: Cessna 150M, N704TF, Cave Junction, OR, September 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1989, 18:45 local (Sep 20, 1989, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Cave Junction, OR
- Coordinates: 42.109535, -123.599067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1095&lon=-123.5991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA176

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO THE LACK OF RECURRENT TRAINING AND RECENT EXPERIENCE WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND A RESULTANT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S OVER-CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO ATTEMPT FLIGHT WITHOUT FURTHER DUAL INSTRUCTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE BEEN FLYING IN THE AREA APPRX ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND MAKING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS AT THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN MOMENTARILY, THEN LIFTED OFF IN A STEEP ANGLE OF CLIMB. THE LEFT WING DIPPED DOWN AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE LAST DUAL INSTRUCTION THE PILOT LOGGED WAS ON 1-2-88.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704TF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704TF-1991-02-07), registration cancelled 1991-02-07, S/N 15078855 (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: 15078855
- Airframe hours: 2833
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leidecker, Clint W.
- Registered owner: Leidecker, Joseph W & Clint W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1987, 34 hours before
- Airport: 3S4, Cave Junction, runway 36, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 34 total, 16 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890919044799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890919044799A), Sep 19, 1989: Cessna 150M, Cave Junction, OR, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Stalled during climbout from touch and go.

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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