# NTSB WPR22LA071: Cessna 150C, N7801Z, Johnsondale, CA, December 30, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 30, 2021, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Johnsondale, CA · private dirt strip - Coordinates: 36.0095, -118.489 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0095&lon=-118.4890&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAT FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104476/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104476 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA071 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing on a snow-covered unimproved runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071808), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he attempted a touch and go landing on a snow-covered backcountry airstrip, in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. The snow was deeper than he anticipated and the ground beneath the snow softer than expected. During the landing, the main wheels dug in, and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7801Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7801Z), registered now, S/N 15059901, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150C - Registry model: [Cessna 150C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150c) (registry code 2071808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15059901 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3137 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2021 - Departed: L05, Kernville, CA - Destination: L05, Kernville, CA - Airport: NA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review September 18, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 847 total, 0 in this make and model, 812 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F - Observed at: KBFL, 36 nm away - METAR: SA 30/12/2021 22:54-> METAR KBFL 302254Z 31006KT 6SM HZ FEW017 OVC085 12/08 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP109 T01170078= ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104476. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13158143&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N7801Z_Filled%20out_Redactedflat-Rel.pdf - Phone conversation with pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13229588&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20508%20Phone-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 347 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13157426&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.pdf 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.