# NTSB SEA93LA006: Cessna 150L, N19092, Sisters, OR, October 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1992, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Sisters, OR
- Coordinates: 44.410331, -121.919342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4103&lon=-121.9193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42950/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA006

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT DECISION. FACTORS INCLUDE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN, TREES, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND DOWNDRAFTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE RENTED CESSNA 150 MADE A NUMBER OF PASSES OVER THE ELK HUNTING CAMP IN AN AREA WERE THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS OVER 7000 FEET. HE REPORTED THAT, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TURBULENCE IN THE AREA, THE WINDS MUST HAVE BEEN FAIRLY STRONG BECAUSE THE GROUNDSPEED OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT ON EACH PASS, DEPENDING ON THE DIRECTION THE AIRCRAFT WAS HEADING. ON THE LAST PASS, THE PILOT ADDED POWER BUT WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN. HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING FINE, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESCENDING AT 800 FEET PER MINUTE WHILE AT FULL POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19092](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19092-1993-05-04), registration cancelled 1993-05-04, S/N 15074162 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074262
- Airframe hours: 1414
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Butler Aircraft Company Inc.
- Registered owner: Butler Aircraft Company Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1992, 76 hours before
- Departed: RDM, REDMOND, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 31 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDM, 35 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 19921020042759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921020042759A), Oct 20, 1992: Cessna 150L, Sisters, OR, Substantial damage. Made low pass over hunting camp. Unable to climb after pass. Struck trees on rising terrain.

## Other investigations on N19092 (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 SEA87LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA176), Aug 25, 1987: Cessna 150 (N19092), Oak Harbor, WA, destroyed

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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