# NTSB LAX03CA299: Cessna 150F, N3093X, Reedley, CA, September 22, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 22, 2003, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Reedley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.666389, -119.449722
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6664&lon=-119.4497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA299

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path and airspeed during final, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane collided with a runway end identifier light after landing short of the runway, which resulted in a nose gear collapse and a propeller strike.  During final, the sink rate became excessive and the pilot added power and decreased the pitch attitude on the airplane.  The airspeed decreased rapidly so he applied full power and nose down pitch attitude. The airplane settled toward the runway in a level attitude and touched down left of the runway centerline, about 25 feet short of the runway.  During the landing roll, the nose gear impacted a runway end identifier light.

## Factual narrative

On September 22, 2003, about 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N3093X, collided with a runway end identifier light after landing short of the runway at Reedley Municipal (O32), Reedley, California.  The airplane was being operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported in a written statement that he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings.  While on final during the fifth landing, the airplane's sink rate became excessive.  He pitched the nose up and added power.  The airspeed decreased rapidly so he applied full power and nose down pitch attitude.  Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted the threshold area and collided with a light.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3093X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3093X), registered now, S/N 15064493 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15064493
- Engines: Continental O-200-A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Juan A. Calvillo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: O32, Reedley, CA
- Airport: O32, Reedley Municipal, runway 33

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 127 total, 8 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days
- Other flight crew; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20030922023299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030922023299A), Sep 22, 2003: Cessna 150F, Reedley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot failed to properly control glide path and airspeed during approach to a short field landing. The aircraft was configured with the flaps extended 30…

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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