# NTSB LAX89FA103: Cessna 150K, N6149G, Honolulu, HI, February 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1989, 17:52 local (Feb 9, 1989, 03:52 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.350772, -157.879699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3508&lon=-157.8797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26210
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26210/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA103

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

INADEQUATE CONTROL TOWER SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER (LC), AND FAILURE OF THE TWO PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER'S AIRCRAFT.  RELATED FACTORS WERE:  IDENTIFICATION OF THE WRONG AIRCRAFT BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER, HIS EXCESSIVE WORKLOAD (HEAVY TRAFFIC), AND VISUAL PERCEPTION FROM THE LOCAL CONTROLLERS POINT OF VIEW.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

INADEQUATE CONTROL TOWER SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER (LC), AND FAILURE OF THE TWO PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER'S AIRCRAFT.  RELATED FACTORS WERE:  IDENTIFICATION OF THE WRONG AIRCRAFT BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER, HIS EXCESSIVE WORKLOAD (HEAVY TRAFFIC), AND VISUAL PERCEPTION FROM THE LOCAL CONTROLLER'S POINT OF VIEW.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - identification of aircraft visually - not attained, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor)
  - excessive workload (task overload) (contributing factor)
  - control tower service - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - identification of aircraft visually - improper, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (contributing factor)
  - excessive workload (task overload) (contributing factor)
  - control tower service - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

ATP PLT (AP) IN CESSNA 150 (C150), N6149G, APCHD ARPT FM EAST FOR STRAIGHT-IN LNDG AS STUDENT PLT (SP) IN CESSNA 152 (C152), N88TE, APCHD FM NW. TFC WAS HVY & PLT OF 3RD HI WING CESSNA (C172, N758ND) WAS INBND TO ENTER RGT TFC BHND C152 & LND ON RWY 22R. AT 1748:43, TWR CTLR (LC) CLRD C150 TO LND (STRAIGHT-IN) ON RWY 22L; 58 SEC LTR, SP (C152) CTCD TWR FOR LNDG INSTRN & ENTERED ANGLING DWNWND. WHEN SP CTCD TWR, LC SAW HI WING CESSNA (PROBABLY C172) NW OF ARPT, THOUGHT ITWAS SP'S C152 & CLRD SP TO LND ON RWY 22R. AT 1751:32, 3RD PLT (C172) CTCD TWR, REQD LNDG ON RWY 22R & WAS CLRD TO LND; 19 SEC LTR, JUST BFR TURNING TO BASE LEG, SP'S CLNC WAS CHGD TO LND ON RWY 22L. SUBSEQUENTLY, C150 & C152 COLLIDED, ABT 20 TO 30 FT AGL ON FINAL APCH FOR RWY 22L. THEY CONVERGED WHILE TRAVELING AT ABT SAME SPD. NEITHER PLT SAW OTR ACFT BFR ACDNT. LC HAD C150 IN SIGHT ON FINAL APCH, BUT INDCD HE ACTUALLY SAW C172, WHEN HE THOUGHT HE HAD C152 IN SIGHT. ALSO, HE NOTED THAT WITH DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING ON MTNS TO NORTH, ACFT FLYING NORTH OF ARPT BLENDED WITH BACKGROUND.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

ATP PLT (AP) IN CESSNA 150 (C150), N6149G, APCHD ARPT FM EAST FOR STRAIGHT-IN LNDG AS STUDENT PLT (SP) IN CESSNA 152 (C152), N88TE, APCHD FM NW. TFC WAS HVY & PLT OF 3RD HI WING CESSNA (C172, N758ND) WAS INBND TO ENTER RGT TFC BHND C152 & LND ON RWY 22R. AT 1748:43, TWR CTLR (LC) CLRD C150 TO LND (STRAIGHT-IN) ON RWY 22L; 58 SEC LTR, SP (C152) CTCD TWR FOR LNDG INSTRN & ENTERED ANGLING DWNWND. WHEN SP CTCD TWR, LC SAW HI WING CESSNA (PROBABLY C172) NW OF ARPT, THOUGHT ITWAS SP'S C152 & CLRD SP TO LND ON RWY 22R. AT 1751:32, 3RD PLT (C172) CTCD TWR, REQD LNDG ON RWY 22R & WAS CLRD TO LND; 19 SEC LTR, JUST BFR TURNING TO BASE LEG, SP'S CLNC WAS CHGD TO LND ON RWY 22L. SUBSEQUENTLY, C150 & C152 COLLIDED, ABT 20 TO 30 FT AGL ON FINAL APCH FOR RWY 22L. THEY CONVERGED WHILE TRAVELING AT ABT SAME SPD. NEITHER PLT SAW OTR ACFT BFR ACDNT. LC HAD C150 IN SIGHT ON FINAL APCH, BUT INDCD HE ACTUALLY SAW C172, WHEN HE THOUGHT HE HAD C152 IN SIGHT. ALSO, HE NOTED THAT WITH DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING ON MTNS TO NORTH, ACFT FLYING NORTH OF ARPT BLENDED WITH BACKGROUND.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N6149G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6149G-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 15071649, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071649
- Airframe hours: 10246
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James K. Jackson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1989
- Departed: MKK, MOLAKAI, HI
- Airport: HNL, Honolulu Intl, runway 22L, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N88TE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88TE-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 15284536 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284536
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Eveland Aero
- Registered owner: Chancy R. Eveland, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: NPS, HONOLULU, HI
- Airport: HNL, Honolulu Intl, runway 22L, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N6149G; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N88TE; age 39; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HNL

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890208033782A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890208033782A), Feb 8, 1989: Cessna 150K, Honolulu, HI, Destroyed. Was struck from rear and above by N88TE both on short final. Tower had given both aircraft clearance to same runway
- [Accident 19890208033781A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890208033781A), Feb 8, 1989: Cessna 152, Honolulu, HI, Substantial damage. Struck N6149G from the rear and above while both were on short final. Tower had issued landing clearance for both.

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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