- Date
- September 1, 1991, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place
- Dixie, ID
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N5934ECessna 150
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 24, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910901037509A
- Case key
- 41529
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with tree(s) during the initial climb. Factors contributing to the accident were the high density altitude and downdraft conditions.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot executed a southerly departure as per the advice of local pilots familiar with the 5600 foot MSL airstrip. During the initial climb the pilot lost sight of the creek bed he was following and chose to execute a climbing left turn. During the turn the aircraft encountered a downdraft. The left wing struck a tree and the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft then collided with terrain. The pilot reported the temperature as 70 degrees fahrenheit. A density altitude of approximately 8000 feet existed at the time of the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5934E
- Reported as
- Cessna 150
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17434
- Engine
- Continental O-200A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- David K. Arnold, Sr.
- Registered owner
- David K. Arnold, Sr.
- Destination
- S80 · Grangeville, ID
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 49
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 971 total · 51 in this make and model · 901 as pilot in command · 33 in the last 90 days · 13 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 70 °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.