# NTSB SEA94LA009: Cessna 150E, N3071J, Sandy, OR, October 5, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 1993, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Sandy, OR - Coordinates: 45.379436, -122.229797 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3794&lon=-122.2298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41835 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41835/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA009 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING THE LANDING. THE LACK OF ADEQUATE RUNWAY ALIGNMENT MARKING WAS A RELATED FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - airport facilities,runway marking - inadequate (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT LANDED LONG ON A GRASS AIRSTRIP WITH A WITH A GRAVEL ROAD THAT CROSSED THE STRIP. HE SAID THERE WAS A BERM OR SMALL DOWNHILL GRADE AT THE EDGE OF THE AIRSTRIP. ALSO, HE SAID THE AIRSTRIP WAS NOT WELL MARKED AND THAT IT WAS HARD TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE AIRSTRIP AND TAXIWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON THE 'DOWNHILL GRADE' AND THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO GROUND LOOP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND. ## Factual narrative On October 5, 1993, at 1650 Pacific daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Cessna 150E, registered to Jerry M. Meng, ground looped and impacted terrain after landing at the Sandy River Airstrip, Sandy, Oregon. There was no flight plan filed for the local personal flight that departed Troutdale, Oregon, at 1545, October 5, 1993. The ATP pilot and the private certificated owner were not injured in the accident. The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no fire. The ATP certificated pilot reported he initiated a landing on the grass airstrip during the local proficiency flight and lost directional control during landing roll. He stated that the airstrip is grass, which is not completely level across the width of the airstrip. There is a gravel road across the airport about midway, and there is a berm or small downhill grade on one side of the airstrip. He said the airstrip is not well marked and it is hard to differentiate between the runway and taxiway. He said he apparently landed long beyond the road and on the downhill grade. The airplane started to groundloop shortly after touchdown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3071J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3071J), registered now, S/N 15061171, 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: 15061171 - Airframe hours: 4280 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry M Meng - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1992, 60 hours before - Departed: TTD, TROUTDALE, OR - Destination: TTD - Airport: 03S, Sandy River ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,650 total, 12 in this make and model, 4,471 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TTD ## 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 19931005037679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931005037679A), Oct 5, 1993: Cessna STC150, Sandy, OR, Substantial damage. Landed long downhill. Ground looped the tailwheel aircraft. 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.