# NTSB SEA96LA150: Cessna 150, N8310J, Puyallup, WA, July 8, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1996, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Puyallup, WA
- Coordinates: 47.189918, -122.330375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1899&lon=-122.3304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA150

## Probable cause

improper flare by the pilot during a touch-and-go landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

While attempting a touch-and-go landing, the pilot allowed the aircraft to descend onto the runway surface at such a rate that the nose wheel failed and the nose gear strut was bent back. He then elected to execute a go-around. During the subsequent landing, the nose gear strut collapsed.

## Factual narrative

On July 8, 1996, approximately 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150, N8310J, experienced a nose gear collapse at Pierce County-Thun Field, Puyallup, Washington. The aircraft received substantial damage but the private pilot, the aircraft's sole occupant, was not injured.  The local flight out of Puyallup operated under 14 CFR 91 and no flight plan was filed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the airport.

While attempting a touch-and-go landing, the pilot allowed the aircraft to descend onto the runway surface impacting on the nose wheel. The airplane hit hard enough that the nose wheel broke off and the nose gear strut was bent back. The private pilot then elected to go around and attempt another landing.  On the subsequent landing, the nose gear strut collapsed completely and the aircraft slid to a stop on its nose.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8310J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8310J), registered now, S/N 15066210, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066210
- Airframe hours: 5823
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Avstar Acft Of Wa, Inc.
- Registered owner: Michael E. Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1996, 95 hours before
- Departed: 1S0, WA
- Destination: 1S0
- Airport: 1S0, Pierce County, runway 34, 3,650 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 317 total, 17 in this make and model, 269 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19960708016529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960708016529A), Jul 8, 1996: Cessna 150G, Puyallup, WA, Substantial damage. Impacted nose gear first landing. Broke off nose gear. Elected go around. Nose strut folded on subsequent landing.

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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