# NTSB SEA87LA198: Cessna 150A, N9815J, Tacoma, WA, July 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1987, 10:57 local (18:57 UTC)
- Place: Tacoma, WA
- Coordinates: 47.130332, -122.400032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1303&lon=-122.4000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - touch-and-go - initiated
  - go-around - attempted
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper training(emergency procedure(s)), flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

WHILE LNDG, THE PLT DECIDED TO GO AROUND. HE STATED THE ACFT FLOATED AS HE APPLIED PWR & THE PWR INCREASED TO ABOUT 2400 RPM. HE RAISED THE NOSE SLIGHTLY & RETRACTED THE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED FLAPS FROM 35 TO ZERO DEG. HE SAID HE ESTABLISHED A CLIMB TO ABOUT 30', THEN THE ACFT STALLED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT DSCNDD ONTO THE RWY IN A NOSE LOW, LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT HAD NOT RETURNED THE CARB HEAT TO THE COLD POSITION. THIS WAS HIS 1ST FLT IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT AFTER HAVING A CHECK-OUT WITH AN INSTRUCTOR (CFI). TWO SESSIONS & 2 HRS OF FLT TIME WERE USED TO CHECK THE PLT OUT IN THE CESSNA 150, BUT THE CFI DID NOT HAVE HIM MAKE A GO-AROUND DRG THE CHECK-OUT. THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN ONLY LOW WING ACFT WITH MANUALLY OPERATED FLAPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9815J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9815J-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N A1500624, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150A
- Registry model: [Cessna A150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150m) (registry code 2071831) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1500624
- Airframe hours: 2550
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Slink, Inc.
- Registered owner: Slink Air, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1987
- Airport: T1W, Tacoma Narrows, runway 17, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 2 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19870703080489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870703080489A), Jul 3, 1987: Cessna A150M, Tacoma, WA, Substantial damage. Tried to go around by dumping flaps. Aircraft stalled. Hit runway. Pilot blames inadequate checkout in type.

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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