# NTSB SEA87LA081: Cessna 150L, N5437Q, Alderwood, WA, April 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1987, 17:45 local (Apr 15, 1987, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Alderwood, WA
- Coordinates: 47.800457, -122.280891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8005&lon=-122.2809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT TOOK OFF AND LANDED WITH A 15 KNOT TAILWIND. DURING HIS SECOND ATTEMPT TO LAND AN OVERUN OCCURRED. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT ONTO SOFT GROUND WHERE IT NOSED OVER INVERTED. THIS WAS THE STUDENT PILOTS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT. PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT HE HAD LOGGED .4 OF SOLO TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5437Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5437Q), registered now, S/N 15073337, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- 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: 15073337
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dorothy Harter, doing business as Martha Lake Airport Flying Clb
- Registered owner: Dorothy Harter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: S13, ALDERWOOD, WA
- Airport: S13, Martha Lake Airport, runway 34, 1,700 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19870414009309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870414009309A), Apr 14, 1987: Cessna 150L, Alderwood, WA, Substantial damage. Touched down past mid field downwind on second solo flight. Departed runway in soft ground and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N5437Q (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 SEA91LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA045), Jan 22, 1991: Cessna C-150L (N5437Q), Alderwood Manor, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO ATTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS.

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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