# NTSB SEA91FA229: Cessna 150L, N19578, Yamhill, OR, September 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1991, 19:25 local (Sep 7, 1991, 02:25 UTC)
- Place: Yamhill, OR
- Coordinates: 45.359481, -123.24031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3595&lon=-123.2403&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 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA229

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS.  FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  AN UNCONTROLLED STALL, A TAIL WIND, REMEDIAL ACTION WAS NOT PERFORMED, AND POOR COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, WITH A 25 KNOT TAIL WIND, GUSTING TO 35 KNOTS, THE AIRPLANE WAS VIEWED TO MAKE THREE S TURNS WITH A HIGHER THAN NORMAL ANGLE OF ATTACK.  DURING A TURN TO THE LEFT, THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE DROPPED VERTICAL TO THE TERRAIN.  THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN, ON THE EDGE OF AN OPEN FIELD, IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.  A POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE AND THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19578](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19578-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 15074501, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074501
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry Merin
- Registered owner: Jerry Merin
- Airport: OR05, Flying M

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 350 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910906038729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910906038729A), Sep 6, 1991: Cessna 150L, Yamhill, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Took off with tailwind gusting to 35 knots on one way strip. Was seen turning to avoid trees. Stalled into trees.

## Other investigations on N19578 (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK76DVG57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG57), Mar 21, 1976: Cessna 150 (N19578), Napa, CA, substantial damage

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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