# NTSB LAX85LA187: Cessna 150, N6653G, Banning, CA, March 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1985, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Banning, CA
- Coordinates: 33.949996, -116.829231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9500&lon=-116.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24684/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA187

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE 50 FT AGL WHILE MANEUVERING OVER A FREEWAY AT LOW ALT. A PALM SPRINGS ATC EMPLOYEE WHO WAS DRIVING HIS CAR IN THE EASTBOUND LANE OF I-10 APRX 10 NM EAST OF THE BANNING ARPT, OBSERVED THE ACCIDENT ACFT ON A WESTBOUND HEADING AT ABOUT 30 FT AGL. A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE SAME OBSERVER SAW THE SAME ACFT FLYING EASTBOUND AS IT FLEW OVER HIS CAR AT AN ESTIMATED ALT OF 30 TO 50 FT AGL. THE ACFT WAS IN A LEVEL FLT ATTITUDE AND APPARENTLY IN NO DIFFUCULTY. THE OBSERVER SAW THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN OVERHEAD WIRE AND PITCH DOWN. THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE FREEWAY CENTER SECTION WITH A HIGH TENSION WIRE IMBEDDED IN THE LEADING EDGE OF BOTH MAIN LNDG GEAR STRUTS NEXT TO THE FUSELAGE. THE HEIGHT OF THE WIRES WAS MEASURED AS 50 FT AGL BY CHIPS (CA HWY PATROL OFFICERS). THE STUDENT PLT HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO PRACTICE TAKEOFF & LNDGS. THIS WAS DONE FOR ABOUT 1+ HRS AS THE CFI WATCHED. AFTER 2 HRS, THE ACFT LEFT THE ARPT AREA. 15 MINUTES LATER, THE CFI WAS INFORMED OF THE CRASH 8 MILES EAST OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6653G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 72153
- Airframe hours: 3813
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earl Seay
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BNG
- Airport: BNG, Banning

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 10 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19850323009279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850323009279A), Mar 23, 1985: Cessna 150L, Banning, CA, Substantial damage. Struck high tension wire 50 feet above freeway while on local solo flight.

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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