# NTSB LAX89LA096: Cessna 150H, N22988, Napa, CA, January 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1989, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.549358, -122.150268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5494&lon=-122.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA096

## Probable cause

THE CFI'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF, LEADING TO A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## 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
  - go-around - delayed, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT'S APPROACH RESULTED IN A TOUCHDOWN 300 FEET BEYOND THE THRESHOLD. THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD STUDENT TO GO-AROUND. FLAP RETRACTION AND POWER APPLICATION WERE DELAYED. WITH 350 FEET LEFT ON THE RUNWAY, THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE INSTRUCTOR TRIED TO EXIT THE RUNWAY VIA A TAXIWAY, HOWEVER THE AIRPLANE RAN INTO A DITCH. STUDENT HAD 34 HRS FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22988](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22988), registered now, S/N 15068664, 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: 15068664
- Airframe hours: 2028
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phillip R. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1988, 20 hours before
- Airport: APC, Napa Co., runway 18L, 2,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,372 total, 1,278 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19890121002559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890121002559A), Jan 21, 1989: Cessna 150H, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Student took too long cleaning up for a go around. CFI aborted too late, ran off runway into a ditch.

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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