Cessna 150M accident near Torrey Pines, California, April 28, 1986
On April 28, 1986 at about 1:45 am local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N704PL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Torrey Pines, California. It was an instructional 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
- April 28, 1986 · about 1:45 am local time
- Place
- Torrey Pines, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N704PL · registry record · serial 15078765
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON THE FINAL LEG OF A X-COUNTRY FLT WHEN THE ENG QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED ON A BEACH DURING WHICH THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED 5.9 GALLONS OF FUEL AT ONE OF HIS POINTS OF LANDING. HE DID NOT REPORT HOW LONG THE ACFT HAD FLOWN BEFORE THE ENG QUIT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THAT APRX ONE CUP OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE WING FUEL TANKS.
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: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 28 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 7 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,863 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 5, 1985; 88 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Skylighters Flying Club
The flight
- Departed from: CRQ Carlsbad CA
- Destination: MYF San Diego CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.