# NTSB ANC97LA007: Cessna 150, N63414, Anchorage, AK, November 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1996, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159816, -149.989654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1598&lon=-149.9897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA007

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate distance from an airport sign, while taxiing on an unfamiliar airport.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - flight to destination alternate - performed, pilot in command
  - object - airport sign/marker
  - distance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot, the sole occupant, landed at an alternate airport from his intended destination. The flight was the conclusion of a cross-country instructional flight, and the pilot was unfamiliar with the field. While taxiing to parking, the right wing struck an airport warning sign. The airplane received damage to the right wing spar and outboard rib.

## Factual narrative

On November 25, 1996, about 1415 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 150, N63414, collided with an airport warning sign while taxiing from landing at Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country instructional flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane, registered to Aero Tech Air Services Inc., Anchorage, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at the Kenai Municipal airport, Kenai, Alaska, at 1320.

On November 25, 1996, at 1455, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he was practicing for his commercial pilot certificate and intended to land at Merrill Field.  Low fog conditions required the flight to divert to Lake Hood.  The pilot landed on runway 31 and was taxiing to parking when the right wing struck an airport warning sign.

The pilot indicated he was unfamiliar with the Lake Hood Strip.

Damage to the right wing spar and outboard rib was confirmed on December 3, 1996, by the NTSB IIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63414](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63414), registered now, S/N 15077296, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077296
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aero Tech Flight Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Destination: Z41
- Airport: Z41, Lake Hood Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 5 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LHD

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19961125036579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961125036579A), Nov 25, 1996: Cessna 150M, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck a sign on landing.

## Other investigations on N63414 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC90FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA025), Jan 8, 1990: Cessna 150 (N63414), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. THE SNOWBANK WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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