# NTSB FTW95LA005: Cessna 150L, N16191, Booker, TX, October 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1994, 20:40 local (Oct 2, 1994, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Booker, TX
- Coordinates: 36.450248, -100.539382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4502&lon=-100.5394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19275/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA005

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH AN OBJECT. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT AND THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR THE LACK OF LIGHTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, kit manufacturer (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not available on selected runway
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - fence
  -  (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON A DARK NIGHT TO AN UNLIGHTED GRASS STRIP.  ON HIS THIRD ATTEMPT HE ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO SINK TOO LOW AND SLOW. A PASSENGER WARNED THE PILOT TO 'GET IT UP' AND THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, IT STRUCK A FENCE.  FOLLOWING THE FENCE STRIKE THE PILOT PULLED OFF POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN, COMING TO REST 30 YARDS FROM THE FENCE.

## Factual narrative

On October 1, 1994, at 2040 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N16191, was substantially damaged during landing near Booker, Texas.  The airplane, flown by a commercial pilot, was on a personal flight from Dodge City, Kansas.  No flight plan was filed and dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot and one passenger were uninjured.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot made two previous attempts to land on the unlighted grass strip and executed two go-arounds.  He further reported that on the third attempt to land he allowed the aircraft to "settle lower and slower than planned."  The passenger stated "get it up" and the pilot applied "full power to climb."  The pilot reported that immediately following the addition of power he "heard and felt a crunch."  The pilot reduced power following the crunching sound and the aircraft struck the ground.  After the pilot and his passenger exited the aircraft they discovered that the aircraft had struck a fence causing damage to the firewall and landing gear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16191](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16191-2012-07-09), registration cancelled 2012-07-09, S/N 15073535, built 1972 (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: 15073535
- Airframe hours: 2937
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bauer, Jerome D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1993, 66 hours before
- Departed: DDC, DODGE CITY, KS
- Destination: NONE, TX
- Airport: NONE, Figi Ranch, runway 13, 1,900 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,499 total, 1,310 in this make and model, 1,436 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 0 ft
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GAG, 40 nm away

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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