Cessna 150H accident near Venice, California, September 18, 1983
On September 18, 1983 at about 8:26 pm local time, a Cessna 150H, registered N22697, was substantially damaged in an accident near Venice, California. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 1983 · about 8:26 pm local time
- Place
- Venice, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150H · all 150Hs on the register
- Registration
- N22697 · no longer on the register · serial 15068455
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT DITCHED IN THE OCEAN AFTER LOSING POWER WHILE TOWING A BANNER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENG QUIT WHILE THE ACFT WAS OVER LAND. HE TURNED TOWARD THE OCEAN AND MANAGED TO START THE ENGINE 2 TIMES FOR A BRIEF PERIOD WHILE DESCENDING. THE PROPELLER STOPPED BEFORE THE ACFT WAS DITCHED 50 YARDS OFFSHORE WITH THE BANNER STILL ATTACHED. THE PLT SWAM ASHORE AND THE ACFT WAS WASHED ASHORE BY THE WAVES WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF LIFEGUARDS. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS INTACT WITH NO FUEL OBSERVED ON THE WATER. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DRAINED OF 4 GALLONS OF FUEL. THIS ACFT NORMALLY HAS ABOUT 3 GALLONS OF UNUSABLE FUEL ABOARD.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,080 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 980 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,870 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 14, 1983; 429 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,680 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-EZD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SFR San Fernando VA at 6:05 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:30 pm from SMO, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.