# NTSB LAX85LA333: Cessna 150E, N6284T, Sonoma, CA, July 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1985, 19:30 local (Jul 31, 1985, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.240852, -122.459732 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2409&lon=-122.4597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA333
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA333

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE STUDENT PLT PRACTICED A FULL STOP LDG FOLLOWED BY A TAKE OFF. ON INITIAL CLIMB ALL ENG POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST. WHEN THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS & MANEUVERED THE ACFT FOR AN EMERGENCY LDG, THE ENG MOMENTARILY COUGHED & SPUTTERED. WHILE LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & A POST CRASH FIRE ERUPTED WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED THE ACFT. THE CFI WAS REPORTED TO HAVE STATED TO RESCUE PERSONNEL, 'GUESS I RAN OUT OF GAS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6284T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6284T-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 15060984, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150E
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060984
- Airframe hours: 5500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Lange
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 1, 1985
- Departed: 0Q9, SONOMA, CA
- Airport: 0Q9, Sonoma Skypark, runway 26, 2,500 × 30 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,670 total, 320 in this make and model, 1,451 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 20 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °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 19850730077419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850730077419A), Jul 30, 1985: Cessna 150E, Sonoma, CA, Destroyed. Engine lost power during takeoff. Aircraft struck trees during forced landing. Failure due to fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N6284T (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX67D0002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0002), May 20, 1966: Cessna 150 (N6284T), San Fernando, CA, substantial damage

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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