# NTSB SEA87LA065: Cessna 150, N457AF, Las Vegas, NV, March 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1987, 08:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.110656, -115.209983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1107&lon=-115.2100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA065

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING LANDING A GUST OF WIND OCCURRED FROM THE RIGHT. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT FOR THE WIND AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN AND THEN NOSED OVER INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N457AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N457AF-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 15075762, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1505762
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles King
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: VGT, North Las Vegan Air Term., runway 7, 5,005 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VGT

## 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 19870318006329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870318006329A), Mar 18, 1987: Cessna 150L, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the side of the runway during the student solo flight.

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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