# NTSB LAX85LA268: Cessna 150, N8489U, Oracle, AZ, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1985, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Oracle, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.63903, -110.840133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6390&lon=-110.8401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA268

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport equipment,runway braking measurement - exceeded (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

DURING A LCL PLEASURE FLT THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT'S ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH SO HE MADE A PRECATIONARY LDG ON A DIRT ROAD WHICH WAS AT AN ELEVATION OF 4,000 FT MSL. AFTER INSPECTING THE ACFT & FINDING IT TO BE IN PROPER WORKING ORDER THE PLT DECIDED TO TAKE OFF. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE ROAD'S LENGTH TO BE BETWEEN 700 & 1000 FT, THE WIND FM 270 DEG AT 10 KTS, & THE TEMP AT 90 DEG F. DURING THE DOWNWIND TAKEOFF THE ACFT OVERRAN THE ROAD'S END, COLLIDED WITH TREES & NOSED OVER. THE CALCULATED DENSITY ALT WAS OVER 6,500 FT. ACCORDING TO THE CESSNA 150 OWNER'S MANUAL THE REQUIRED GROUND RUN DISTANCE UNDER THE DESCRIBED CONDITIONS WOULD BE OVER 1180 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8489U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077939
- Airframe hours: 3633
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Baxter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 26, 1985, 95 hours before
- Departed: ORACLE, AZ
- Destination: LA JOLLA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 171 total, 163 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19850609023679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850609023679A), Jun 9, 1985: Cessna 150M, Oracle, AZ, Substantial damage. Collided with tree and nosed over during takeoff run on dirt road. Density altitude a factor.

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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