LAX96LA125

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150G · Auburn, CA · March 2, 1996

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
March 2, 1996, 10:13 local (18:13 UTC)
Place
Auburn, CA
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N8662JCessna 150G
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report September 19, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19960302003479A
Case key
29382

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterTakeoff - roll/run
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Ground loop/swerve - inadvertentPilot in commandCause
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterTakeoff - roll/run
Terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s)
Main gear collapsedTakeoff - roll/run
Landing gear,main gear - overload

Analysis

The Cessna 150G had been modified with conventional landing gear in accordance with an approved STC. The pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll, he lost directional control, when he raised the tail at about 40 mph. The airplane then veered off the right side of the runway. As the pilot attempted to turn back onto the runway, the left main landing gear contacted a large rock that was imbedded in the ground. The gear strut then separated from the airplane, and the left wing contacted the ground.

Factual narrative

On March 2, 1996, at 1013 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150G, N8662J, sustained a collapsed main landing gear and wing contact to the runway during a loss of control in the takeoff ground roll at the Auburn, California, airport. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was beginning a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and his one passenger incurred minor injuries.

The aircraft is a conventional landing gear conversion under an approved STC. The pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll, he lost directional control when he raised the tail at 40 mph. The aircraft veered right off the runway. During the pilot's attempts to turn back to the runway, the left main landing gear contacted a large rock imbedded in the ground. The gear strut then separated from the aircraft and the left wing contacted the ground.

Aircraft

Registration
N8662J
Reported as
Cessna 150G
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15066562
Airframe hours
4,154
Engine
Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Kenneth D. Read
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · December 1, 1995 · 21 hours before
Departed
AUN
Airport
AUN · Auburn, runway 7, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
55
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
800 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
30 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
66 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.