# NTSB SEA93LA082: Cessna 150G, N3986J, Jordan Valley, OR, March 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1993, 18:50 local (Mar 26, 1993, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Jordan Valley, OR
- Coordinates: 42.960941, -117.35997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9609&lon=-117.3600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA082

## Probable cause

THE PILOT CONTINUED THE VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES ON THE GROUND.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CLOUDS, LOW CEILING, AND RAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - utility pole
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT DESCENDED TO A LOW ALTITUDE AND FOLLOWED A HIGHWAY WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS, CLOUDS, AND RAIN WHILE ON A VFR FLT.  THE ACFT STRUCK A POLE AND WIRES ON AN ELECTRICAL POWER LINE, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3986J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3986J-1995-06-12), registration cancelled 1995-06-12, S/N 15065286 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15065286
- Airframe hours: 5159
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mckay, Wade D.
- Registered owner: Mckay, Wade D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1992, 171 hours before
- Departed: BNO, BURNS, OR
- Destination: WMC, WINNEMUCCA, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 231 total, 231 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNO, 85 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 19930325006929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930325006929A), Mar 25, 1993: Cessna 150G, Jordan Valley, OR, Destroyed. Struck power pole near highway while following same in low clouds.

## Other investigations on N3986J (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 SEA67D0202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67D0202), Nov 12, 1966: Cessna 150 (N3986J), Pasco, WA, 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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