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NTSB Report
November 19, 1988 · Cessna 150F · N6883F
Santa Maria, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 19, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Santa Maria, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 150F
Tail Number
N6883F
Operator
Valley Air
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA053
DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FLOWN ALONG A RIDGELINE WHILE THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE LOOKING FOR AN OLD AIRPLANE WRECK. THE PILOT WAS DISTRACTED AND DID NOT NOTICE THE AIRPLANE WAS ENTERING A CANYON AND RISING TERRAIN. WHEN THE PILOTS ATTENTION WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE FLIGHT, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO MANEUVER OUT OF THE CANYON NOR WAS THERE ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO CLIMB OVER THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT MAINTAINED A STRAIGHT HEADING AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AND RISING TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.
Full Narrative
DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FLOWN ALONG A RIDGELINE WHILE THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE LOOKING FOR AN OLD AIRPLANE WRECK. THE PILOT WAS DISTRACTED AND DID NOT NOTICE THE AIRPLANE WAS ENTERING A CANYON AND RISING TERRAIN. WHEN THE PILOTS ATTENTION WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE FLIGHT, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO MANEUVER OUT OF THE CANYON NOR WAS THERE ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO CLIMB OVER THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT MAINTAINED A STRAIGHT HEADING AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AND RISING TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150F
Tail NumberN6883F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorValley Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO