Cessna 150 accident near Port Isabel, Texas, February 29, 2020
On February 29, 2020 at about 1:49 am local time, a 1974 Cessna 150, registered N407WJ, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR pattern crosswind) near Port Isabel, Texas (Port Isabel-Cameron County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control during the initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 29, 2020 · about 1:49 am local time
- Place
- Port Isabel, Texas · Port Isabel-Cameron County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 M, built 1974 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N407WJ · no longer on the register · serial 15075783
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before the accident, the pilot told the co-owner he planned to perform touch and go maneuvers. Data showed that the airplane departed and conducted one left traffic pattern flight. It could not be determined if the pilot performed a touch-and-go, or a go-around. The airplane then entered a left crosswind, and the last radar target indicated the airplane was at 250 ft above ground level and 125 knots ground speed. There were no witnesses to the accident. The airplane impacted terrain in a 10° nose-down attitude, and the wreckage path measured about 120 ft in length. No anomalies were noted with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, it is likely that the pilot lost control during the initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. The pilot’s toxicology tests results revealed he had used marijuana, but none of the available information could be used to determine when that had occurred. As a result, it could not be determined if the pilot’s use of marijuana contributed to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern crosswind) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern crosswind)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 229 hours in all; 53 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 26, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,478.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,760 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 2,723 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 8,001 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.36 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from PIL, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on February 9, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | radar Data Plots | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation Hatch | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation Textron | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation Lycoming | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.