# NTSB LAX84LA443: Cessna 150G, N8424J, Palo Alto, CA, August 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1984, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.45092, -122.099357 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4509&lon=-122.0994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA443
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA443

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER, THEN STOPPED RUNNING. THE PLT FOUND A DRY LAKE BED THAT HAD BEEN PLOWED & ELECTED TO LAND THERE. WHEN HE LANDED, THE ACFT NOSED OVER. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE #2 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. DUE TO THE SEVERE METAL BREAK-UP, THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8424J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5733-8AR
- Airframe hours: 5541
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eral Burgin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1984
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 105 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19840818041579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840818041579A), Aug 18, 1984: Cessna 150G, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing. Connecting rod broken in number 2 cylinder.

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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