# NTSB FTW85FA261: Cessna 150, N8496J, Temple, TX, June 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1985, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Temple, TX
- Coordinates: 31.079734, -97.249542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0797&lon=-97.2495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21558
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21558/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA261

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - comm/nav equipment - lack of (cause)
  - planning/decision - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - comm/nav equipment - improper (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A MIDAIR COLLISION OCCURRED BETWEEN A CESSNA 150 IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND A CESSNA 152 ON A LONG LOW FINAL TO THE SAME RUNWAY. THE CESSNA 152'S RADIO WAS MISTUNED, AND THE CESSNA 150 HAD NO RADIO INSTALLED. NEITHER COULD HAVE HEARD WARNINGS BROADCAST BY ANOTHER AIRCRAFT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE CESSNA 152 CAME BETWEEN THE CESSNA 150 AND THE SUN DURING THE LAST MINUTE OF THE FLIGHT. THE CESSNA 150 WAS HIDDEN FROM THE CESSNA 152'S PILOT'S VIEW BY THE LEFT WING. NO OBSTRUCTION WAS FOUND TO ACCOUNT FOR EITHER AIRCRAFT NOT SEEING AND AVOIDING THE OTHER PRIOR TO THOSE POSITIONS.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N8496J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8496J-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 15066396 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066396
- Airframe hours: 3125
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James W. Wallace
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1985
- Departed: ILE, KILLEEN, TX
- Airport: TPL, Draughon-Miller, runway 15, 6,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N48891](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48891-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 15281033, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281033
- Airframe hours: 1327
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: J. R. Voyles, doing business as Cardinal Aviation
- Registered owner: Altus Aircraft Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1985, 5 hours before
- Departed: ILE, KILLEEN, TX
- Airport: TPL, Draughon-Miller, runway 15, 6,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N8496J; age 30; airline transport, military, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,800 total, 800 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days
- Pilot, aircraft N48891; age 24; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 21 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPL, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

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

- [Accident 19850623075031A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623075031A), Jun 23, 1985: Cessna 150G, Temple, TX, Substantial damage. Caught up to and collided with 48891 on final while practicing touch and goes in traffic pattern.
- [Accident 19850623075032A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623075032A), Jun 23, 1985: Cessna 152, Temple, TX, Destroyed. Entered traffic pattern on a long low final and was struck from behind by 8496J.both fell in uncontrolled descents.

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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