# NTSB LAX86LA073: Cessna 150M, N714GG, Santa Paula, CA, December 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1985, 19:23 local (Dec 22, 1985, 03:23 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399753, -119.070732 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3998&lon=-119.0707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25043
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25043/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA073

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - visual lookout - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not followed, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT & HIS CFI SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED 8 LANDINGS.ON FINAL APCH TO THE 9'TH LDG THE ACFT WAS LOW & THE CFI DELAYED IN DIRECTING HIS STUDENT TO INCREASE ENG PWR. THE STUDENT RESPONDED BUT THE ACFT DID NOT GAIN ALT SOON ENOUGH TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A PWR POLE & WIRES 300 FT FROM THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N714GG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15079160
- Airframe hours: 4108
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Santa Paula Flight Center
- Registered owner: Richard P. Schutze
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1985, 52 hours before
- Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 22, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 85; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,845 total, 70 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19851221063319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851221063319A), Dec 21, 1985: Cessna 150M, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Right wheel struck an unlighted power pole on final approach at night. Struck wires and impacted ground inverted.

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.