# NTSB CEN23LA420: Cessna 150K, N6398G, South Saint Paul, MN, September 17, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 17, 2023, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: South Saint Paul, MN · Grassy area adjacent to the runway.
- Coordinates: 44.858627, -93.034811 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8586&lon=-93.0348&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA420
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193125/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193125
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA420

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadvertent brake application during takeoff which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper seat position.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071822), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was performing touch-and-go landings. After the first landing and during the takeoff roll, he experienced difficulty maintaining directional control of the airplane and aborted the takeoff. The pilot taxied the airplane back to the runway and departed again. After landing, the pilot applied full power for takeoff and the airplane veered right of the runway centerline. He applied brakes as the airplane exited the runway and impacted a taxiway sign. The airplane came to rest in a grassy area adjacent to the runway and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that he positioned his seat too far forward which prevented him from differentiating between rudder and brake inputs. He further stated that if he had used an additional seat cushion, he could have positioned the pilot’s seat further aft and prevented the inadvertent brake inputs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6398G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6398G), registered now, S/N 150-71898, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150-71898
- Year built: 1970
- Airframe hours: 5786.8
- Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Crowned Eagle Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 2023
- Airport: KSGS, South St. Paul Municipal Airport, runway 16, 4,002 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, unknown; last flight review July 11, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 354.6 total, 7.7 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KSGS
- METAR: KSGS 171755Z AUTO 33003KT 10SM SCT031 BKN042 BKN048 19/10 A3011 RMK AO2 T01930102 10200 20107

## 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 20230917016179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230917016179A), Sep 17, 2023: Cessna 150K, South Saint Pau, MN, Substantial damage. During the second attempted touch and go for the day the PIC touched down then applied full power. The aircraft started drifting to the right leaving the paved…

## Other investigations on N6398G (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 LAX86LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA180), Apr 16, 1986: Cessna 150K (N6398G), Joshua Tree, CA, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193125. 917 KB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 431 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16852691&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%201%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 486 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16852443&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.