# NTSB LAX85LA389: Cessna 150E, N3926U, Apple Valley, CA, September 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1985, 08:58 local (15:58 UTC)
- Place: Apple Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.570972, -117.150535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5710&lon=-117.1505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA389
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA389

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING STOP AND GO TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, THE SOLO STUDENT PLT FLARED TOO HIGH ON THE SECOND LANDING AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PLT APPLIED POWER TO NEGOTIATE A GO AROUND. THE NOSE PTICHED UP AND THE ACFT STALLED. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GND ON ITS MAIN WHEELS AND BOUNCED. THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE RUNWAY CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO EXIT THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST RIGHT SIDE UP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY IN THE DIRT. THE WINDS WERE CALM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE STUDENT PLT HAD ACCUMULATED 24.8 TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT MAKE AND MODEL 1.7 HOURS WERE OBTAINED AS PIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3926U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3926U-2022-02-16), registration cancelled 2022-02-16, S/N 15061326, built 1965 (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: 15061326
- Airframe hours: 6086
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Midfield Aviation
- Registered owner: Marvin Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA
- Airport: APV, Apple Valley, runway 36, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 248 total, 248 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 248 in the last 90 days, 172 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19850911047229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850911047229A), Sep 11, 1985: Cessna 150E, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Solo student flared too high and drifted with wing contacting runway during attempt to correct drift.

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.