# NTSB LAX00LA120: Cessna 150E, N6194T, Reedley, CA, March 7, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 2000, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Reedley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.650161, -119.400733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6502&lon=-119.4007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48786/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=48786
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA120

## Probable cause

A loose seat latch which permitted the seat to move aft to a position where the pilot could no longer reach the controls.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - fuselage,seat - loose (cause)
  - fuselage,seat - slipped
  - control interference - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

The pilot reported that as she started to taxi following engine start, her seat slipped back and she lost directional control of the aircraft.  The pilot, who is 69 inches tall, reported she was unable to attain full rudder deflection for nose wheel steering or full use of the brakes.  The tip of the left wing struck a pole before she could regain control.

## Factual narrative

On March 7, 2000, at 1530 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150E, N6194T, was substantially damaged when the left wing tip impacted a pole during taxi for takeoff at Reedley, California.  The private certificated pilot was not injured.  The local area, personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that as she started to taxi following engine start, her seat slipped back and she lost directional control of the aircraft.  The pilot, who is 69 inches tall, reported she was unable to attain full rudder deflection for nose wheel steering or full use of the brakes.  The tip of the left wing struck a pole before she could regain control.  The aft spar of the wing buckled near the wing root.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6194T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6194T), registered now, S/N 15060894, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150E
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060894
- Airframe hours: 2503
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry Fielden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1999, 25 hours before
- Airport: O32, Reedley Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,253 total, 37 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 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 20000307013089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000307013089A), Mar 7, 2000: Cessna 150E, Reedley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Seat slipped on tracks during engine start. Pilot couldn't reach pedals well enough to avoid hitting a light standard with the left wing. Found seat to…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2001, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=48786. 346 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423629&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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