# NTSB LAX96LA081: Cessna 150M, N66172, Quartzsite, AZ, December 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 26, 1995, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Quartzsite, AZ - Coordinates: 33.659133, -114.230125 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6591&lon=-114.2301&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29358/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA081 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The student pilot was on his solo long cross-country flight and became concerned when the aircraft's fuel quantity reached the 1/4 level. He observed a private airport and elected to make a precautionary landing. The aircraft landed to the south on the 2,000-foot-long dirt airstrip and touched down about 500 feet beyond the threshold. It then veered off the 75-foot-wide runway to the left, struck a 3-foot-high dirt pile and a small tree, and nosed over. The aircraft came to rest inverted on the east side of the runway, about 800 feet from the threshold. The surface wind at the nearest weather reporting point, 28 miles southwest, was from 010 degrees at 9 knots, however, the pilot reported the surface wind calm at the accident location. ## Factual narrative On December 26, 1995, at 1430 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 150 M, N66172, nosed over during a precautionary landing at Quartzsite, Arizona. The aircraft was substantially damaged; however, the student pilot was not injured. The flight was operating on a VFR flight plan and had departed Ryan Airport at Tucson, Arizona at 1142 hours. The intended destination was Blythe, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The operator told the NTSB investigator that the student pilot was on his solo long cross-country flight and became anxious when the aircraft's fuel quantity reached the 1/4 level. The pilot observed a private airport at Quartzsite and elected to make a precautionary landing. The aircraft landed to the south on the 2,000-foot-long dirt airstrip and touched down about 500 feet beyond the threshold. It then veered off the 75-foot-wide runway to the left, struck a 3-foot-high dirt pile and a small tree, and nosed over. The aircraft came to rest inverted on the east side of the runway, about 800 feet from the threshold. The surface wind at Blythe, 28 miles southwest of Quartzsite, was from 010 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot reported that the surface wind at the accident location was calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66172](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66172-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 15075893, built 1974 (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: 15075893 - Airframe hours: 8851 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Farley Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 1995, 74 hours before - Departed: RYN, TUCSON, AZ - Destination: BLH, BLYTHE, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Ora Acres, runway 16, 2,000 × 75 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 49 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 9 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BLH, 28 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 19951226043609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951226043609A), Dec 26, 1995: Cessna 150M, Quartzsite, AZ, Substantial damage. Solo cross country student became alarmed by low fuel. Tried land on dirt strip. Veered into obstacles. Nosed over. 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.