# NTSB LAX98LA148: Cessna 150G, N3376J, Oroville, CA, April 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 1998, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Oroville, CA - Coordinates: 39.449443, -121.39019 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4494&lon=-121.3902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 1, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30079/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path, and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in an undershoot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - weather condition - variable wind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command - proper glidepath - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high obstruction(s) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear strut - overload ## Analysis The landing area is a private dirt strip that is 1,500 feet msl at the approach end (west), 1,700 feet msl at the departure end (east), and approximately 600 feet in length. The pilot set up for a landing to the east and while on approach encountered an unfavorable wind condition that he stated 'dropped the aircraft approximately one foot below his planned approach path.' The aircraft struck rocks at the approach end and traveled another 500 feet before striking another rock and coming to rest. The pilot did not note any mechanical discrepancies with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 1998, at 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N3376J, struck a boulder and collapsed the nose landing gear at a private dirt strip near Oroville, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight that originated at the Oroville airport approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he overflew the dirt strip approximately 3,700 feet above ground level (agl) and set up for landing on a heading of 090 degrees. He reported that the approach was normal and that the aircraft was "hit with a gust of wind. . .[dropped] 1 foot below my planned approach," and hit rocks at the approach end of the dirt strip. The pilot reported that the aircraft traveled another 500 feet before the nose landing gear struck another rock, and subsequently collapsed the nose landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the dirt strip is approximately 1,500 feet mean sea level (msl) at the approach end (west), 1,700 feet msl at the departure end (east), and is approximately 600 feet in length. He further reported that there were no mechanical difficulties noted with the aircraft. The accident was reported to the Safety Board on April 30, 1998. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3376J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3376J-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 15066076, 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: 15066076 - Airframe hours: 5026 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas N. Haymore Sr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1997, 6 hours before - Departed: O06, CA - Airport: Private Dirt Strip, runway 9, 600 × 40 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 96 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19980425016149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980425016149A), Apr 25, 1998: Cessna 150G, Oroville, CA, Substantial damage. (.4)The landing area is a Private dirt strip that is 1,500 feet MSL at the approach end (west), 1,700 feet MSL at the departure end (east), and approximately… 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.