# NTSB LAX85FA355: Cessna 150L, N19530, Rialto, CA, August 18, 1985 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1985, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Rialto, CA - Coordinates: 34.100868, -117.380561 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1009&lon=-117.3806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 24527 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA355 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24527/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA355 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - aircraft moving on ground (cause) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - facility inadequate,visual restriction, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - radio communications - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - aircraft moving on ground (cause) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - facility inadequate,visual restriction, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - radio communications - not possible, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE CHRISTIAN EAGLE BIPLANE WAS RETURNING FROM A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND ENTERED THE PATTERN ON A NORMAL 45 DEGREE ENTRY, ANNOUNCING POSITION AND INTENTIONS ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY. THE CESSNA 150 WAS DEPARTING THE AIRPORT ON A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND HAD JUST COMPLETED AN ENGINE RUNUP AND TAXIED ONTO THE RUNWAY. THE BIPLANE PILOT SAID HE WAS IN A 3 POINT LANDING ATTITUDE, WHICH PRECLUDED FORWARD VISIBILITY. THE CESSNA 150 PILOT SAID HE LOOKED BOTH ON FINAL AND BASE LEGS PRIOR TO INITIATING THE TAKEOFF. JUST AFTER THE CESSNA 150 MOVED ONTO THE RUNWAY AND ADDED POWER FOR THE TAKEOFF, THE CHRISTIAN EAGLE COLLIDED WITH THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING AT ABOUT THE MID SPAN POINT. THE COMMUNICATIONS RADIO HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CESSNA 150 FOR MAINTENANCE REPAIR. THE CLOSEOUT OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORTING STATION, 8 MILES EAST, LISTED A VISIBILITY OF 2 MILES IN HAZE AND SMOKE, HOWEVER, BOTH PILOTS AND OTHER WITNESSES SAID THE VISIBILITY AT THE AIRPORT WAS '3 MILES.' ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE CHRISTIAN EAGLE BIPLANE WAS RETURNING FROM A LOCAL INTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND ENTERED THE PATTERN ON A NORMAL 45 DEGREE ENTRY, ANNOUNCING POSITION AND INTENTIONS ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY. THE CESSNA 150 WAS DEPARTING THE AIRPORT ON A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND HAD JUST COMPLETED AN ENGINE RUNUP AND TAXIED ONTO THE RUNWAY. THE BIPLANE PILOT SAID HE WAS IN A 3 POINT LANDING ATTITUDE, WHICH PRECLUDED FORWARD VISIBILITY. THE CESSNA 150 PILOT SAID HE LOOKED BOTH ON FINAL AND BASE LEGS PRIOR TO INITIATING THE TAKEOFF. JUST AFTER THE CESSNA 150 MOVED ONTO THE RUNWAY AND ADDED POWER THE FOR THE TAKEOFF, THE CHRISTIAN EAGLE COLLIDED WITH THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING AT ABOUT THE MID SPAN POINT. THE COMMUNICATIONS RADIO HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CESSNA 150 FOR MAINTENANCE REPAIR. THE CLOSEST OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORTING STATION, 8 MILES EAST, LISTED A VISIBILITY OF 2 MILES IN HAZE AND SMOKE, HOWEVER, BOTH PILOTS AND OTHER WITNESSES SAID THE VISIBILITY AT THE AIRPORT WAS '3 MILES.' ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N19530](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19530-1989-01-18), registration cancelled 1989-01-18, S/N 15074475 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15074475 - Airframe hours: 2440 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A48 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Rialto Aviation - Registered owner: Boyd R. Phelps - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 29, 1985, 14 hours before - Airport: L67, Rialto Airport, runway 24, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N42SH (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: MAR-FLITE CHRISTIAN EAGLE II (CHRISTIAN) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 002 - Airframe hours: 85 - Engines: LYCOMING AFIO-360-AID 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Melton L. Bacon - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1985, 85 hours before - Airport: L67, Rialto Airport, runway 24, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N19530; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,365 total, 800 in this make and model, 2,250 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N42SH; age 54; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,251 total, 12 in this make and model, 6,361 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19850818039151A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850818039151A), Aug 18, 1985: Cessna 150L, Rialto, CA, Destroyed. Failed to see aircraft on short final on a very hazy day. Got onto runway, began takeoff, was hit by landing N42SH. - [Accident 19850818039152A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850818039152A), Aug 18, 1985: Amtr CHRISEAGLE2, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Could not see N19530 taxi onto runway due to flight attitude. Hit N19530 on flaring. Used radio but N19530 no radio. 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.