# NTSB SEA89LA075: Cessna 150E, N3015J, Hillsboro, OR, March 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1989, 00:02 local (08:02 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.580078, -122.910881 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5801&lon=-122.9109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA075

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER LANDING FLARE PERFORMED BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON AT THE CONTROLS WHO HAD NO FLIGHT TRAINING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - flare - improper, unqualified person (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, unqualified person (contributing factor)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use

## Analysis

A NON-PILOT TOOK THE ACFT FOR NIGHT JOYRIDE AND CRASHED ON THE LANDING ATTEMPT. THE ACFT WAS FOUND ON THE RWY THE NEXT DAY. TWO TEENAGERS CONFESSED TO MAKING THE FLT. THE OWNER DELCARED THAT THE ACFT WAS TAKEN FROM A LOCKED HANGER; HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THE KEYS TO THE ACFT WERE IN THE IGNITION. THE OWNER STATED THAT DAMAGE TO THE ACFT INDICATED THAT IT HAD BEEN FLOWN INTO THE GROUND WITHOUT A PROPER FLARE TECHNIQUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3015J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3015J), registered now, S/N 15061115, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150E
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061115
- Airframe hours: 4803
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William S. Peterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 58 hours before
- Airport: H10, Hillsboro, runway 30, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 15; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °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 19890316003959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890316003959A), Mar 16, 1989: Cessna 150E, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. Two teenage boys crashed on landing from a joy ride in a stolen aircraft. Neither occupant was pilot rated.

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.