# NTSB LAX86LA164: Cessna 150H, N50306, Tucson, AZ, April 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1986, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.330772, -110.980346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3308&lon=-110.9803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25111
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25111/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,axle - loose (cause)
  - nosewheel steering - not possible
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER LOWERING THE NOSEWHEEL DURING THE LANDING, HE HEARD A 'POPPING SOUND' AND IMMEDIATELY RAISED THE NOSEWHEEL OFF THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED AND THE PILOT COULD NO LONGER HOLD THE NOSEWHEEL OFF, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT AS SOON AS THE NOSEWHEEL TOUCHED DOWN. THE AIRCRAFT THEN WENT INTO A DITCH AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A NUT SECURING THE NOSEWHEEL AXLE 'HAD BACKED OFF,' ALLOWING THE NOSEWHEEL TO BECOME MISALIGNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50306](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50306-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 15069213, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15969213
- Airframe hours: 7717
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Karl Krietsch
- Registered owner: Harry W. Goodman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1985, 59 hours before
- Departed: PHX, PHEONIX, AZ
- Airport: 40E, La Cholla, runway 20, 4,500 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 128 total, 57 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19860403011669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860403011669A), Apr 3, 1986: Cessna STC150, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered off the side of the runway on landing rollout and struck a ditch. Nose wheel axle nut loose.

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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