# NTSB LAX83LA460: Cessna 150, N11491, Sparks, NV, September 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1983, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Sparks, NV
- Coordinates: 39.54026, -119.750961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5403&lon=-119.7510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA460
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA460

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STU PLT STATED HE ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR ON SHORT FINAL AND APPLIED FULL PWR BUT THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK A DIRT BANK AT THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE ACFT BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR AND CAME DOWN ON THE RWY AT WHICH TIME THE NOSE GEAR DEPARTED THE ACFT AS IT SLID TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11491](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11491), registered now, S/N 15075458 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- 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: 15075458
- Airframe hours: 3935
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1983, 40 hours before
- Airport: Nevada Flyers, runway 16, 4,600 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830911051059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830911051059A), Sep 11, 1983: Cessna 150L, Sparks, NV, Substantial damage. Student pilot allowed aircraft to touch down short of runway colliding with a dirt bank.

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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