# NTSB LAX97LA234: Cessna 150G, N458AE, Barstow, CA, July 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 1997, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Barstow, CA - Location: 34.8537° N, 116.7867° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BARSTOW-DAGGETT (DAG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8537&lon=-116.7867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29830/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA234 ## Probable cause The student pilot's inability to attain directional control of the aircraft due to an improperly adjusted parking brake spring. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff - landing gear,parking brake - binding(mechanical) (cause) - maintenance,adjustment - improper, unknown (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - Nose over, taxi - to takeoff ## Analysis Witnesses reported that the aircraft was taxiing to the active runway when the aircraft veered off the taxiway, hit a sand dune, and nosed over. The student pilot reported that the aircraft's right brake failed and the aircraft veered to the left and departed the runway. An A & P mechanic with inspection authorization examined the aircraft. He reported that the right brake functioned properly, but that the left parking brake spring was not adjusted properly, allowing the left brake to be activated at all times. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 1997, at 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N458AE, departed the taxiway, collided with a sand dune, and came to rest inverted at the Barstow-Daggett, California, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the instructional flight that originated from the Needles, California, airport at 0955. Witnesses to the accident reported that the aircraft was taxiing to the active runway (runway 26) when the aircraft veered off the taxiway, hit a sand dune, and nosed over. In an interview with an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that he had landed at the Barstow-Daggett airport to refuel his aircraft before continuing his flight to the Van Nuys, California, airport. The pilot claimed that during the taxi he checked the aircraft brakes and that is when the right brake failed. The pilot reported that the left brake worked and caused the aircraft to veer to the left and depart the taxiway. An FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization examined the aircraft after the accident. He reported that the right brake functioned normally, but that the left parking brake spring was not adjusted properly, allowing the left brake to be activated at all times. No other preexisting anomalies were found. The pilot did not respond to repeated written and telephone inquiries for a statement and the aircraft maintenance records. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N458AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N458AE-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N 15066610, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15066610 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mitchell A. Thomason - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EED, NEEDLES, CA - Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA - Airport: DAG, Barstow-Daggett, runway 26, 6,400 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 13 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DAG ## 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 19970707017109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970707017109A), Jul 7, 1997: Cessna 150G, Daggett, CA, Substantial damage. Taxiing to runway veered into a sand dune. Nosed over. Blamed bad brake. Left brake was dragging. ## Other investigations on N458AE (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX73DUG42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DUG42), Feb 27, 1973: Cessna 150 (N458AE), Bermuda Dns, CA, substantial damage 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.