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NTSB Report
July 23, 1986 · Cessna 150D · N5917T
San Diego, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 150D
Tail Number
N5917T
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86LA302
A CESSNA 150D COLLIDED WITH THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHILE SPOTTING FISH APPROXIMATELY 5 MI FROM THE COAST. THE ACFT OWNER AND OPERATOR INDICATED THAT THE PLT WAS FAA LICENSED AND CURRENT. FAA RECORDS REVEALED THE PLT WAS ISSUED A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATED ALONG WITH HIS THIRD CLASS MEDICAL ON MAY 8, 1986. THE ACFT WAS SPOTTING FISH FOR A FISHING VESSEL ALSO OWNED BY THE ACFT OPERATOR. THE ACFT NORMALLY CIRCLED THE BOAT AT APPROXIMATELY 800 FT AGL AND REPORTED FISH SIGHTINGS VIA THE RADIO. THE FISHING VESSEL CREWMEMBERS HEARD THE ACFT IMPACT THE WATER APPROXIMATELY 100 FT FROM THE SHIP, BUT DID NOT SEE IT. THE ACFT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE SHIP VIA RADIO AND THERE WAS NO DISTRESS CALL. A CREWMEMBER STATED THERE DID NOT SEEM TO BE ANY CHANGE IN THE ENGINE NOISE PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE OPERATOR ALSO INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS LOST AT SEA. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 2,600 FEET OF WATER. THE STUDENT PLT IS MISSING AND PRESUMABLY FATALLY INJURED.
Full Narrative
A CESSNA 150D COLLIDED WITH THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHILE SPOTTING FISH APPROXIMATELY 5 MI FROM THE COAST. THE ACFT OWNER AND OPERATOR INDICATED THAT THE PLT WAS FAA LICENSED AND CURRENT. FAA RECORDS REVEALED THE PLT WAS ISSUED A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATED ALONG WITH HIS THIRD CLASS MEDICAL ON MAY 8, 1986. THE ACFT WAS SPOTTING FISH FOR A FISHING VESSEL ALSO OWNED BY THE ACFT OPERATOR. THE ACFT NORMALLY CIRCLED THE BOAT AT APPROXIMATELY 800 FT AGL AND REPORTED FISH SIGHTINGS VIA THE RADIO. THE FISHING VESSEL CREWMEMBERS HEARD THE ACFT IMPACT THE WATER APPROXIMATELY 100 FT FROM THE SHIP, BUT DID NOT SEE IT. THE ACFT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE SHIP VIA RADIO AND THERE WAS NO DISTRESS CALL. A CREWMEMBER STATED THERE DID NOT SEEM TO BE ANY CHANGE IN THE ENGINE NOISE PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE OPERATOR ALSO INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS LOST AT SEA. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 2,600 FEET OF WATER. THE STUDENT PLT IS MISSING AND PRESUMABLY FATALLY INJURED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150D
Tail NumberN5917T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC