# NTSB LAX90LA144: Cessna 150L, N7309G, Hanford, CA, April 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1990, 17:30 local (Apr 13, 1990, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Hanford, CA
- Coordinates: 36.2691, -119.629722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2691&lon=-119.6297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA144

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN A SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE ATTEMPTED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT OBTAINED A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH ADVISED OF LOCAL AREA WINDS FROM THE NORTH WEST AT 15 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KTS. THE PILOT SAID HE FLEW A NORMAL PATTERN FOR RUNWAY 32. AS THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED THE FLARE, A STRONG GUST OF WIND SUDDENLY LIFTED THE LEFT WING AND THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT 'PITCHED UP VIOLENTLY.' THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO COUNTER THE ATTITUDE DEVIATION WITH FORWARD AND LEFT CONTROL INPUTS. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON THE NOSE WHEEL, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE AIRPORT VASI LIGHT INSTALLATION AND THE AIRCRAFT CART WHEELED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT REPORTED THAT STRONG GUSTY CROSS WINDS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE AIRCRAFT'S APPROACH AND LANDING ATTEMPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7309G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7309G-1990-08-23), registration cancelled 1990-08-23, S/N 15074643 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15074643
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Navy Lemore Aero Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NLC, NAS LEMORE, CA
- Destination: O18
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 018, Hanford Muni, runway 32, 3,965 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 342 total, 12 in this make and model, 254 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NLC, 18 nm away

## 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 19900412008539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900412008539A), Apr 12, 1990: Cessna 150L, Hanford, CA, Substantial damage. Wind gust lifted wing on landing. Lost control,ballooned came down on nose wheel. Wing hit VASI. Cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N7309G (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK75DVA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75DVA09), Jul 25, 1974: Cessna 150L (N7309G), Hanford, CA, substantial damage

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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