# NTSB LAX89LA321: Cessna 150, N6215G, Paradise, CA, September 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1989, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Paradise, CA
- Coordinates: 39.740589, -121.610603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7406&lon=-121.6106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA321
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26507/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA321

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH THE PLT ENCOUNTERED GUSTY WINDS AND A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT & COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ABOUT 200 YARDS SHORT OF THE RWY. THE 116-HOUR PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT PRIOR TO LANDING HE WAS AWARE THAT A 90 DEGREE, 15 KNOT CROSS WIND EXISTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6215G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6215G), registered now, S/N 15071715 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- 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: 1507171
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter J. Cisneros
- Departed: WILLOWS, CA
- Destination: Q88, PARADISE, CA
- Airport: Q88, Paradise, runway 35, 2,000 × 21 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 116 total, 116 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890923035819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890923035819A), Sep 23, 1989: Cessna 150K, Paradise, CA, Substantial damage. Caught in downdraft on short final, crashed short of runway.

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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