# NTSB LAX94LA240: Cessna 150M, N63105, Lancaster, CA, May 27, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 1994, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, CA - Coordinates: 34.719337, -118.480293 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7193&lon=-118.4803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28761/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA240 ## Probable cause the flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin while maneuvering at minimum controllable airspeed. A factor in the accident was the instructor's selection of an inadequate above ground altitude to begin the maneuver. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall - inadvertent, dual student - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis About 4,100 feet msl (1,300 agl), the instructor asked the student to demonstrate minimum controllable airspeed. The student complied and configured the aircraft with full flaps and slowed to the minimum airspeed with the stall warning horn on steady. The instructor reported that the aircraft began to deviate in heading and he applied full power and right rudder. The aircraft suddenly stalled and rolled completely around the longitudinal axis, then began an uncontrolled descent toward the ground. The instructor said he was able to recover at an estimated 3 to 4 feet agl, and the left wing tip hit a berm. The instructor climbed the aircraft back to cruise altitude and continued the flight to the destination. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 1994, at 1345 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N63105, struck the left wing tip on a berm following an in-flight loss of control near Lancaster, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Professional Pilot Training of Burbank, California, and was engaged in local area dual primary flight training. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial internal damage to the left wing ribs and stringers. Neither the certificated commercial pilot flight instructor nor his dual primary student were injured. The flight originated at Burbank, California, on the day of the accident at 1230 as a dual instructional flight. The accident was reported to the National Transportation Safety Board on June 6, 1994, following assessment by company maintenance personnel of the damage extent. In a telephone interview, the pilot said the purpose of the flight was to practice ground reference maneuvers. After departure from Burbank, the flight proceeded to a desert area near Lancaster where the maneuvers could be accomplished in an unpopulated area. The instructor said that after the maneuvers were finished, the student began a climb to cross a mountain range between Lancaster and Burbank. About 4,100 feet msl (1,300 agl), the instructor asked the student to demonstrate minimum controllable airspeed. The student complied and configured the aircraft with full flaps and slowed to the minimum airspeed with the stall warning horn on steady. The instructor reported that the aircraft began to deviate in heading and he applied full power and right rudder. The aircraft suddenly stalled and rolled completely around the longitudinal axis, then began an uncontrolled descent toward the ground. The instructor said he was able to recover at an estimated 3 to 4 feet above ground level and the left wing tip hit a berm. The instructor climbed the aircraft back to cruise altitude and continued the flight back to Burbank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63105](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63105-2011-01-21), registration cancelled 2011-01-21, S/N 15077108, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15077108 - Airframe hours: 6278 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Professional Pilot Training - Registered owner: Michael G. Magras - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 27, 1994, 2 hours before - Departed: BUR, BURBANK, CA - Destination: BUR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 546 total, 157 in this make and model, 522 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °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 19940527013989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940527013989A), May 27, 1994: Cessna 150M, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Gave student full flap slow flight. Lost control. Added power. Rolled spun recovered as wing hit. Returned to base. 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.