# NTSB FTW93LA024: Cessna 150M, N8960U, Norman, OK, October 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1992, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Norman, OK
- Coordinates: 35.25085, -97.459793 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2508&lon=-97.4598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA024

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY JUDGE HIS LEVEL OFF ALTITUDE WHILE MANEUVERING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command
  - level off - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PILOT MADE SEVERAL LOW PASSES OVER HIS GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE WITH HER AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WATCHING. ON THE LAST PASS, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN THE BACKYARD OF THE HOUSE, BOUNCED OVER THE HOUSE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GROUND A SECOND TIME ABOUT 1/2 MILE BEYOND THE HOUSE. THE NOSE GEAR WAS FOUND IN THE BACKYARD AND THE WITNESSES STATED THEY HEARD THE ENGINE ACCELERATE AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT. THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT HE WAS AT 3,000 FEET WHEN HE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT SINCE HE WAS OVER AN AREA HE KNEW WELL, HE WAS AWARE OF SEVERAL GOOD FORCED LANDING AREAS AND THAT HIS FORCED LANDING GLIDE HAPPENED TO TERMINATE IN HIS GRANDMOTHER'S BACKYARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8960U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8960U-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 15078030, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078030
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Airmen Flying School
- Registered owner: Schelde, Brian L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: OUN
- Destination: OUN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 15 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 19921026043749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921026043749A), Oct 26, 1992: Cessna 150M, Norman, OK, Substantial damage. Buzzed grandmothers house,impacted in back yard. Bounced over house and crashed in front yard.

## Other investigations on N8960U (1)

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 FTW97LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA036), Nov 10, 1996: Cessna 150M (N8960U), Tulsa, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel exhaustion due the student pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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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