# NTSB LAX07CA284: Cessna 150M, N45316, Sonoma, CA, May 6, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 6, 2007, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Sonoma, CA - Coordinates: 38.2625, -122.434722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2625&lon=-122.4347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66796 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66796/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA284 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control while landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis After landing on runway 26 with a right crosswind from 360 degrees at 19 knots and gusting to 28 knots, the airplane veered off the runway to the left. The airplane subsequently crossed an adjacent field, and collided with a ditch. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2007, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N45316, veered off the runway and collided with a ditch during a crosswind landing at Sonoma Skypark Airport, Sonoma, California (OQ9). Sonoma Skypark Flight School was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local area personal flight departed Napa County Airport, Napa, California (APC), about 1010. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated in a written report that he configured the airplane for a straight in approach to runway 26. After touchdown, the airplane veered to the left and departed the runway. The airplane continued through an adjacent field and collided with a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage, including a buckled firewall and a bent left wing spar. The closest official weather observation station was APC, which was 8 nautical miles east of the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 35 feet msl. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for APC was issued at 0954. It stated: winds from 360 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 28 knots; visibility 10 miles; skies 25,000 feet scattered; temperature 25 degrees Celsius; dew point 2 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.04 inHg. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45316](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45316-2018-02-16), registration cancelled 2018-02-16, S/N 15076838 (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: 15076838 - Airframe hours: 10019 - Engines: Teledyne Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sonoma Skypark Flight School, doing business as Sonoma Skypark Flight School - Registered owner: Carmichael John Dudley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 2007, 69 hours before - Departed: APC, Napa, CA - Destination: 0Q9, Sonoma, CA - Airport: 0Q9, Sonoma Skypark Airport, runway 26, 2,480 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 718 total, 100 in this make and model, 587 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 19 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: APC, 8 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.