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NTSB Report
February 23, 1991 · Cessna 150L · N18526
Carlsbad, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 23, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Carlsbad, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 150L
Tail Number
N18526
Operator
Aviation Services
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91FA111
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PILOT WERE PLANNING TO CONDUCT TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, ABOUT 15 MILES EAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THEY DID ONE TAKEOFF AND LANDING AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, BUT WERE DENIED ANY FURTHER OPERATIONS BECAUSE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE BELOW VFR MINIMUMS. THE CFI REQUESTED AND RECEIVED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE AND DEPARTED THE CONTROL ZONE TO THE EAST. ABOUT 2 MINUTES AFTER REPORTING CLEAR OF THE CONTROL ZONE, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HILL 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT ABOUT 925 FEET MSL IN A WINGS AND NOSE LEVEL ATTITUDE. A HELICOPTER PILOT OPERATING IN THE AREA REPORTED CEILINGS OF ABOUT 800 TO 850 FEET MSL. TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE URINE OF THE CFI REVEALED A HIGH LEVEL OF ANTIHISTAMINE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE CFI/PIC'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AND THE CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO AN AREA OF IMC CONDITIONS. THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF ANTIHISTAMINE AND THE LOW CEILING WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT PILOT WERE PLANNING TO CONDUCT TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, ABOUT 15 MILES EAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THEY DID ONE TAKEOFF AND LANDING AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, BUT WERE DENIED ANY FURTHER OPERATIONS BECAUSE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE BELOW VFR MINIMUMS. THE CFI REQUESTED AND RECEIVED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE AND DEPARTED THE CONTROL ZONE TO THE EAST. ABOUT 2 MINUTES AFTER REPORTING CLEAR OF THE CONTROL ZONE, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HILL 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT ABOUT 925 FEET MSL IN A WINGS AND NOSE LEVEL ATTITUDE. A HELICOPTER PILOT OPERATING IN THE AREA REPORTED CEILINGS OF ABOUT 800 TO 850 FEET MSL. TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE URINE OF THE CFI REVEALED A HIGH LEVEL OF ANTIHISTAMINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:12 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150L
Tail NumberN18526
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAviation Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:46
Weather SourceWFAC