Cessna 150A, N7158X: Fatal accident occurred October 31, 2019 in Brawley, Imperial County, California

GEORGE EDWARD MORRIS
1993 - 2019

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Diego, California

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N7158X

Location: Brawley, CA
Accident Number: WPR20FA018
Date & Time: 10/31/2019, 0119 PDT
Registration: N7158X
Aircraft: Cessna 150
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On October 31, 2019, at 0119 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150A, N7158X, impacted desert shrub trees along the embankment of the Alamo River, in Brawley, California. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal local area flight. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed from the Brawley Municipal Airport (BWC), at 0114.

The airplane was identified on radar from the time it taxied from the hangars to just north of the accident site. After the airplane departed runway 8, it turned left and flew westbound just north of the runway. At 0117, about 1.5 nautical miles northwest of runway 8, the airplane turned to the left approximately 225° and crossed the runway on a northeast bound heading. At 0118 the airplane turned right. At 0119:31 the airplane made another right turn and was on a southbound heading. The last radar return was at 0119:55 north-northwest of the accident site.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, and Textron Aviation, responded to the accident site. The entire airplane came to rest upright on the shoreline of the Alamo River in desert shrub trees, on a magnetic heading of 257°. The debris path was 80 feet in length and north of the main wreckage. The left-wing tip was embedded in the desert tree shrub and was the first identified point of contact (FIPC). About 30 feet from the wing tip was a freshly broken branch. The debris path continued away from the river to the southeast. The right main landing gear had separated and was in the debris path.

The propeller and engine section partially separated from the cockpit, and the cockpit separated from the empennage and tail sections. The propeller remained attached to the engine and the engine to the firewall. The propeller was a two-bladed propeller; one propeller blade was undamaged and straight; the other propeller blade had bent aft toward the cockpit but was relatively undamaged. There were no obvious holes in the engine case. The carburetor had separated from the induction tubing at its mounting flange. About 1.5 gallons of fuel similar in color and smell to aviation fuel (100 low-lead) was recovered from the left wing. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the tail section and out to the wings.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N7158X
Model/Series: 150 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: MMML, 74 ft msl
Observation Time: 0051 PDT
Distance from Accident Site: 24 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / -23°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 20000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 340°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.23 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Brawley, CA (BWC)
Destination: Brawley, CA (BWC)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 32.988056, -115.469167 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

On Thursday October 31st, George E. Morris took his final checkered flag. Meeting him at victory lane were his grandfathers George H. Morris, Ira Dallas Harris and grandmothers Martha Morris, Mary Jane Harris as well as numerous aunts and uncles. He is survived by his mother and father Kathie and George B. Morris; brothers, Steven Winford, Dustin Morris; aunts Diane and Shirley Harris; uncles, Rick and John Buscaglia, Bob Morris, and Robert and Mike Harris; nieces, Madison Winford and Lexis Smith; nephew, Tanner Smith; many cousins and lifelong friends. George E. was born on Thanksgiving morning November 25th, 1993 in Brawley, CA. Being the first baby born that day, he was tagged with the name 'Turkey Baby' for the rest of his stay. He graduated Holtville High School in 2011. During his years there, he did 2 years on the varsity wrestling team, 3 years varsity golf and received All League Honors for golf his senior year. In 2015 George E. completed trade school at Miramar College for Aviation Mechanics. On March 31st 2019, he became a licensed private pilot. He recently became the Operations Manager at Farm Aviation in Brawley, CA. George E loved playing the drums. During his youth, he played drums for the praise and worship team for the Trinity Baptist Church in Holtville. He was also an avid golfer and hunter in his free time. However, his true passion was racing which started with mini dwarfs at the IV Fairgrounds, dwarfs cars at Barona and other various tracks. He raced sprint cars at many California raceways with his 2015 Young Guns Sprint Car Championship at Perris Speedway being his greatest accolade. He was a current member of the Holtville Athletic Club and a lifetime member of the IV Swiss Club. Services will be held November 15th, at 10 a.m. at Barbara Worth Country Club in Holtville. Luncheon to follow at the IV Swiss Club, also in Holtville. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the George E. Morris memorial fund at the Mechanics Bank , 502 Holt Ave, Holtville, CA.