# NTSB LAX93LA334: Cessna A150M, N9861J, Sacramento, CA, August 23, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1993, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Sacramento, CA - Coordinates: 38.640407, -121.539108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6404&lon=-121.5391&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 26, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28458 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA334 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28458/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA334 ## Probable cause THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, AND FAILURE TO RELINQUISH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS TO THE CFI. THE SOFT DIRT WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause) - relinquishing of control - not performed, dual student (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - landing gear,nose gear strut - overload - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE DUAL NONCERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE STUDENT APPLIED RIGHT PEDAL, RUDDER AND BRAKES, TO STOP THE AIRPLANE. THE CFI ATTEMPTED TO ASSUME CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, BUT THE DUAL STUDENT WOULD NOT RELINQUISH CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED THE SOFT TERRAIN, COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR, AND NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1993, at 1115 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A150M, N9861J, exited runway 16 at Natomas Field, Sacramento, California, and nosed over. The pilots were conducting a local visual flight rules instructional flight. The airplane, registered to Sacramento Aero Services, Inc., and operated by American Aero Club, Inc., Natomas, California, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated commercial pilot/flight instructor (CFI) nor the noncertificated student pilot was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Natomas Field at 0945 hours. Neither the CFI nor the operator informed the Safety Board of this accident. An anonymous person informed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Sacramento Flight Standards District Office of this accident on August 26, 1993. A FAA flight standards inspector examined the airplane and determined that the airplane had sustained structural damage. Both the CFI and the operator submitted an unsigned Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. The CFI reported that after completing airwork at the practice area the flight returned to Natomas Field for traffic pattern instruction. On the first approach the CFI instructed the student to execute a go-around. The student satisfactorily completed the go-around and re-entered the traffic pattern for a second approach to a landing. During the landing roll the student pilot began to instinctively control the airplane as if he was driving an automobile by stepping on the right rudder pedal to slow the airplane. This action caused the airplane to veer to the right. The student panicked during the sudden departure from the centerline. The CFI advised the student that he assumed the controls, but the student froze on the controls and continued to operate the controls as if he were driving an automobile to arrest the right excursion. The CFI was unable to regain control of the airplane. The airplane exited the asphalt surface runway and entered the soft dirt. The airplane continued its landing roll until the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over onto its back. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9861J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9861J-2003-06-05), registration cancelled 2003-06-05, S/N A1500670, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A150M - Registry model: [Cessna A150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150m) (registry code 2071831) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15000760 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: American Aero Club, Inc. - Registered owner: Sacramento Aero Services, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 10, 1993, 36 hours before - Airport: Q96, Natomas Field, runway 16, 2,700 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 606 total, 322 in this make and model, 475 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19930823031589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930823031589A), Aug 23, 1993: Cessna A150M, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. Veered on landing roll. Student panicked and stepped on brake like auto driving. Exited runway. CFI unable correct. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.