# NTSB SEA99LA173: Cessna 150M, N704XA, Camas, WA, September 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 1999, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Camas, WA - Coordinates: 45.640388, -122.370002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6404&lon=-122.3700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47529 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47529/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA173 ## Probable cause A misjudged approach and inadequate airspeed. Sunglare, a delayed decision to go-around, and not maintaining clearance from a fence were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on a long final approach with sun glare in his eyes, he mistook the runway number for the displaced threshold. On short final, the pilot realized that he was low and slow, and the addition of power near the end of the runway was insufficient to maintain flight. During the go-around maneuver, the tail section of the aircraft contacted the airport boundary fence. The aircraft pitched down and subsequently collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The Airport/Facility Directory indicates that the threshold is displaced 413 feet. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 1999, about 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N704XA, registered to and operated by Aero Maintenance as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence and subsequently the ground during a go-around at Grove Field, Camas, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Camas about one hour prior to the accident. During an interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that due to other traffic in the pattern, he extended the downwind leg. The pilot stated that while on long final for runway 25, he was aiming for the displaced threshold for landing. The pilot then looked over at his passenger to insure that his seatbelt was on. When the pilot resumed his forward scan into the low sun glare, he did not realize that he mistook the runway number for the displaced threshold. The pilot reported that while on short final, he "Was thus low and slow, and the addition of power near the end of the runway was insufficient to maintain flight." During the go-around maneuver, the tail section of the aircraft contacted the airport boundary fence. The aircraft pitched down and subsequently collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude, collapsing the nose gear. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The Airport/Facility Directory indicates that for runway 25, the threshold is displaced 413 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N704XA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704XA-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 15078945, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078945 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aero Maintenance Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: WA10 - Destination: WA10 - Airport: WA10, Grove Field, runway 25, 2,710 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 161 total, 93 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TTD, 4 nm away ## 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 19990922047019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990922047019A), Sep 22, 1999: Cessna 150M, Camas, WA, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported that while on a long final approach with sun glare in his eyes, he mistook the runway number for the displaced threshold. On short… 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.