# NTSB FTW89DRJ01: Cessna 150, N3893J, Piedmont, OK, August 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1989, 18:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Piedmont, OK
- Coordinates: 35.670639, -97.750442 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6706&lon=-97.7504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRJ01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE BUZZING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESS STATEMENTS, THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING AT ALTITUDES ESTIMATED AT 100 TO 500 FEET AND BANK ANGLES UP TO 90 DEGREES WHILE MAKING MULTIPLE LOW PASSES OVER HIS SON'S HOUSE. FOLLOWING A DIVE MANEUVER, A ROLLING PULL-UP WAS INITIATED, THEN THE AIRCRAFT STALLED & COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. IN A STATEMENT MADE TO THE FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR, THE PILOT SAID, 'I GUESS I MADE ONE PASS TOO LOW.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3893J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3893J-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 15065193, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15065193
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wallace R. Tidwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: HSD, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWA, 18 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 19890807028089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890807028089A), Aug 7, 1989: Cessna 150G, Piedmont, OK, Substantial damage. Flew by sons home in populated area,stalled and impacted ground in open field during last low pass.

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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