# NTSB LAX96LA125: Cessna 150G, N8662J, Auburn, CA, March 2, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1996, 10:13 local (18:13 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, CA
- Coordinates: 38.920059, -121.069145 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9201&lon=-121.0691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29382/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA125

## Probable cause

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

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8662J-1998-05-28), registration cancelled 1998-05-28, S/N 15066562 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150G
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066562
- Airframe hours: 4154
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19960302003479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960302003479A), Mar 2, 1996: Cessna STC150, Auburn, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control as converted tail wheel 150 tail brought up on takeoff. Collapsed left main. Wing strike.

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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