# NTSB SEA91FA095: Cessna 150H, N970MA, Sumpter, OR, April 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1991, 17:00 local (Apr 27, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Sumpter, OR
- Coordinates: 44.750457, -118.199195 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7505&lon=-118.1992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA095

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS AND THE PILOT'S VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 150 DEPARTED LA GRANDE OREGON WITHOUT OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING.  WEATHER AT HIS DEPARTURE POINT WAS VFR.  WEATHER AT HIS DESTINATION WAS OBSCURED WITH NO DISCERNABLE CEILING.  THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN NEAR THE BOTTOM OF A RIVER DRAINAGE.  THE ENGINE FIRED ON RESIDUAL FUEL WHILE INVESTIGATORS WERE CHECKING COMPRESSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N970MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N970MA-1991-10-21), registration cancelled 1991-10-21, S/N 15067550 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15067550
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ellis E. Speer
- Registered owner: Ellis E. Speer
- Departed: LGD, LA GRANDE, OR
- Destination: 5J0, JOHN DAY, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total, 275 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: 5J0, 30 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 19910426012849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910426012849A), Apr 26, 1991: Cessna 150H, Sumpter, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into near zero IMC in mountain terrain. Lost control and crashed into a ravine.

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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