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NTSB Report
May 18, 1990 · Cessna 150H · N7156S
Goleta, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Goleta, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 150H
Tail Number
N7156S
Operator
Whitehead Ronald
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90LA182
THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOST FROM VISUAL CONTACT BY THE TOWER WHILE PERFORMING NIGHT TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS, AND PRESUMED TO HAVE CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN. AMOUNG THE FEW ITEMS RECOVERED WERE A PAIR OF WHEEL CHOCKS WITH THE AIRCRAFT'S NUMBER. DEPARTURE FROM RWY 15R IS OUT OVER THE OCEAN. THE PILOT'S LAST LOGGED NIGHT TIME WAS 9/89 AND CONSISTED OF 0.2 HRS. THE PILOT'S TOTAL LOGGED NIGHT TIME WAS 6.7 HRS, 6 OF WHICH WERE DUAL. INJURIES PRESUMED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOST FROM VISUAL CONTACT BY THE TOWER WHILE PERFORMING NIGHT TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS, AND PRESUMED TO HAVE CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN. AMOUNG THE FEW ITEMS RECOVERED WERE A PAIR OF WHEEL CHOCKS WITH THE AIRCRAFT'S NUMBER. DEPARTURE FROM RWY 15R IS OUT OVER THE OCEAN. THE PILOT'S LAST LOGGED NIGHT TIME WAS 9/89 AND CONSISTED OF 0.2 HRS. THE PILOT'S TOTAL LOGGED NIGHT TIME WAS 6.7 HRS, 6 OF WHICH WERE DUAL. INJURIES PRESUMED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:31 PDT
Nearest AirportSanta Barbara (0nm N)
Runway15R
Runway Length4183 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150H
Tail NumberN7156S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWhitehead Ronald
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind40° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 43 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time04:42
Weather SourceWFAC