# NTSB FTW83LA180: Cessna 150, N6648G, Donna, TX, April 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1983, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Donna, TX
- Coordinates: 26.159824, -98.049209 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1598&lon=-98.0492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA180

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT PLT, HE WAS PRACTICING A SIMULATED EMERGENCY LANDING & HAD ABORTED THE APPROACH WHEN THE ACFT BANKED TO THE LEFT, WENT OUT OF CONTROL & CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HIT A PALM TREE, APRX 60 FT TALL, THEN CAME TO REST ABOUT 250 FT BEYOND THE TREE. THE STUDENT STATED THAT HE DID NOT THINK HE HIT THE TREE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ON A FIELD WHERE HIS FRIEND WAS WORKING. THE FLT SCHOOL, WHERE HE RECEIVED TRAINING, HAD RULES PROHIBITING SIMULATED FORCED LANDINGS ON SOLO FLTS & REQUIRED A COMPLETE ACFT RECOVERY BY 500 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6648G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6648G-2013-11-12), registration cancelled 2013-11-12, S/N 15072148, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072148
- Airframe hours: 3544
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Travis D. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 9, 1981, 17 hours before
- Departed: T65, WESLACO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 28 total, 28 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFE, 10 nm away

## 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 19830407014539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830407014539A), Apr 7, 1983: Cessna 150L, Donna, TX, Substantial damage. Descended too low on a practice forced landing. Wheels hit the top of a palm tree. Airplane crashed out of control.

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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