# NTSB FTW85LA279: Cessna 150L, N5321Q, Killeen, TX, July 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1985, 11:27 local (16:27 UTC)
- Place: Killeen, TX
- Coordinates: 31.110773, -97.729598 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1108&lon=-97.7296&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): 21794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA279

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRCRAFT AND TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE NOSE GEAR. THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO START PORPOISING FROM WHICH RECOVERY WAS NOT MADE. AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO BOUNCE UNTIL THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. IT THEN SLID TO A STOP, RESTING ON THE NOSE SECTION AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5321Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5321Q-2026-10-03), registration cancelled 2026-10-03, S/N 15073221 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- 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: 15073221
- Airframe hours: 2042
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cardinal Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Airport: ILE, Killeen Muni, runway 19, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850707030159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850707030159A), Jul 7, 1985: Cessna 150L, Killeen, TX, Substantial damage. Porpoised on landing until nose gear collapsed. Damage to propeller, firewall, engine mounts and right gear.

## Other investigations on N5321Q (2)

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 CEN25LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA057), Dec 6, 2024: Cessna 150L (N5321Q), Meridian, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate verification of…
- [NTSB ANC91LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA095), Jul 7, 1991: Cessna 150L (N5321Q), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPERLY PERFORMED 100…

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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