# NTSB SEA95LA132: Cessna 150M, N66727, Meachem, OR, June 25, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 1995, 08:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Meachem, OR - Coordinates: 45.520423, -118.439025 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5204&lon=-118.4390&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42176 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42176/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA132 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN. A FACTOR WAS THE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN CONDITION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING A DOWNDRAFT DURING A COURSE REVERSAL WHILE OVERFLYING MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF AIRSPEED. AS THE AIRCRAFT REACHED TREE TOP LEVEL THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER AND 'BANKED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE RIGHT [SIC] WINGTIP HIT THE GROUND AND THE PLANE CART-WHEELED, WHILE SLIDING SIDEWAYS INTO THE TREES.' ## Factual narrative On June 25, 1995, approximately 0810 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N66727, being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees/terrain while turning to reverse course over mountainous/hilly terrain approximately 5 nautical miles east of Meachem, Oregon. The pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Pendleton, Oregon, approximately 0740. The pilot reported that while returning to Pendleton "over the gorge near Meachem Creek" he experienced a "downdraft and applied more power to keep from losing altitude." He reported that his airspeed decayed to less than 75 mph and he "eased the nose forward and applied more power (not full throttle)." He reported that "By this time (he) had lost considerable altitude and was barely above tree top level." To avoid hitting the trees he "pushed the throttle in all the way, and banked sharply to the left. The right [sic] wingtip hit the ground and the aircraft cartwheeled, while sliding sideways into the trees." Winds at the Meachem reporting station were less than 5 knots throughout the morning of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66727](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66727-1997-01-27), registration cancelled 1997-01-27, S/N 15076236 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15076236 - Airframe hours: 4191 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hossain, Syed, M. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 1995, 29 hours before - Departed: PDT, PENDLETON, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 209 total, 141 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEH, 4 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 19950625049259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950625049259A), Jun 25, 1995: Cessna 150, Meacham, OR, Destroyed. (-16) The pilot explained that he got caught in a down draft. We feel he WA too close to the ground in a deep valley to begin with. He did not have enough… ## Other investigations on N66727 (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 SEA88LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA066), Mar 20, 1988: Cessna 150 (N66727), Fox, OR, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.