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NTSB Report
February 17, 1991 · Cessna 172 · N8551B
Bullhead City, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 17, 1991
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Bullhead City, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N8551B
Operator
Bagdad Flying Club
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91FA103
THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE BULLHEAD CITY ARPT ON THE EVENING PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. ROOMS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY SLEEP BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLT. DURING THAT EVENING AND EARLY MORNING THE PILOT CONSUMED 2 BEERS AND 2 MIXED DRINKS. HE CONSUMED THE LAST DRINK AT ABOUT 0400 HOURS ABOUT 5 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 0830 HOURS. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A DEAD BATTERY. THE FBO PROVIDED A JUMP START. THE LINEMAN FAILED TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE ELECTRICAL ACCESS DOOR AND SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF THE ACCESS DOOR OPENED AND BEGAN TO FLAP. THINKING THAT THE DOOR WOULD COME OFF AND STRIKE THE WINDSCREEN THE PILOT REDUCED THE ENGINE POWER TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING. HE THEN ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. DURING THE TURN THE PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, STALLED THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED ABT 500 YDS NORTH OF THE ARPT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION AND PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT FROM FATIGUE; HE ALSO FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. THE LINEMAN'S FAILURE TO SECURE THE ACCESS DOOR AND THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE BULLHEAD CITY ARPT ON THE EVENING PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. ROOMS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY SLEEP BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLT. DURING THAT EVENING AND EARLY MORNING THE PILOT CONSUMED 2 BEERS AND 2 MIXED DRINKS. HE CONSUMED THE LAST DRINK AT ABOUT 0400 HOURS ABOUT 5 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 0830 HOURS. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A DEAD BATTERY. THE FBO PROVIDED A JUMP START. THE LINEMAN FAILED TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE ELECTRICAL ACCESS DOOR AND SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF THE ACCESS DOOR OPENED AND BEGAN TO FLAP. THINKING THAT THE DOOR WOULD COME OFF AND STRIKE THE WINDSCREEN THE PILOT REDUCED THE ENGINE POWER TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING. HE THEN ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. DURING THE TURN THE PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, STALLED THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED ABT 500 YDS NORTH OF THE ARPT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:55 PST
Nearest AirportBullhead Laughlin (0nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length4648 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN8551B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBagdad Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-360-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 65 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC