# NTSB FTW85LA225: Cessna 150M, N63613, Moran, TX, May 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1985, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Moran, TX
- Coordinates: 32.539009, -99.160377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5390&lon=-99.1604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA225

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING DUE TO HIS IMMEDIATE NEED TO USE THE BATHROOM. THERE WERE NO ACFT PROBLEMS INVOLVED. THE STUDENT USED 'SOFT FIELD LANDING' TECHNIQUES AND TOUCHED DOWN ON SOFT GROUND FOR AN OFF ARPT LANDING. WHEN THE NOSE GEAR TOUCHED DOWN THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. A SUITABLE ARPT FOR LANDING WAS LOCATED ONLY ONE MILE FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63613](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63613), registered now, S/N 15077428 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077428
- Airframe hours: 2138
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John E. Kirkpatrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1984
- Departed: F70, FT. WORTH, TX
- Destination: 6F4, ABILENE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABI, 30 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 19850516019829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850516019829A), May 16, 1985: Cessna 150M, Moran, TX, Substantial damage. Decided to land in field to use restroom. Nose tire dug into soft mud, aircraft nosed over onto its back.

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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