# NTSB LAX83LA355: Cessna A150K, N8353M, Stonyford, CA, July 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1983, 08:48 local (15:48 UTC)
- Place: Stonyford, CA
- Coordinates: 39.270874, -122.459632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2709&lon=-122.4596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA355
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA355

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND WHILE NEGOTIATING A LOW LEVEL AEROBATIC MANEUVER. THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED A PRIVATE RANCH AIRSTRIP AND ACCORDING TO A WITNESS THE ACFT WAS 'ROLLED'. AFTER A FEW CIRCLES OF THE STRIP. THE WITNESS WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE THE PLT HAD SAID BEFORE TAKEOFF THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT SUITED FOR AEROBATICS. A 2ND ROLL WAS ATTEMPTED BUT AFTER THE ROLLOUT 90 DEGREES OFF THE ENTRY HEADING THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A FLAT LEVEL ATTITUDE AND SKIDDED OUT OF SIGHT. THE PLT WAS FATALLY INJURED. HE WAS AN AIR TRANSPORT PLT WITH OVER 12000 HOURS TOTAL FLYING TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8353M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8353M-1990-02-05), registration cancelled 1990-02-05, S/N A15000053 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A150K
- Registry model: [Cessna A150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150k) (registry code 2071824) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1500053
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Svend Steffen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: STONYFORD, CA
- Airport: Flying S Strip, runway 5, 2,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,274 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 40 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 19830723034459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830723034459A), Jul 23, 1983: Cessna A150K, Stoneyford, CA, Destroyed. Struck the ground in level attitude at a high rate of descent after a low level snap roll.

## Other investigations on N8353M (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 FTW72DRJ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72DRJ12), Oct 23, 1971: Cessna 150 (N8353M), Alexandria, LA, substantial damage

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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