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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 17, 1998 · Cessna 150F · N7911F

San Carlos, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 17, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
San Carlos, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 150F
Tail Number
N7911F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX98LA080

The aircraft was modified by STC to a conventional landing gear configuration. The pilot reported that he did not sufficiently reduce the airspeed during the approach and the aircraft 'bounced about 2-3 feet' on the touchdown. At that point, the seat slid backwards about 3 to 4 inches and the pilot stated that the abrupt seat movement caused his loss of control. The aircraft then ground looped, turned approximately 90 degrees, and came to a stop upright on the runway. Aircraft maintenance records disclosed that Airworthiness Directive 87-20-03R2, which pertains to the inspection of the seat tracks, had been complied with. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he had forgotten to engage the seat locking pin before the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's excessive airspeed, which resulted in a bounced landing, and, his failure to ensure that his seat locking pin was engaged, which caused his seat to move backwards during the touchdown and resulted in his loss of directional control.

Full Narrative

On January 17, 1998, at 1510 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150F, N7911F, ground looped on landing at the San Carlos, California, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight originated from the Camarillo, California, airport at 1200 and was terminating at the time of the accident. The aircraft was modified by Supplemental Type Certificate to a conventional landing gear configuration. In a written statement to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot reported that he did not sufficiently reduce the airspeed during the approach and the aircraft "bounced about 2-3 feet" on the touchdown. At that point, the seat slid backwards about 3 to 4 inches and the pilot stated that "this diversion was probable cause of [the] poor ability of [the] pilot to control [the] plane . . . effective control was lost." The aircraft then ground looped, turned approximately 90 degrees, and came to a stop upright on the runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the San Jose Flight Standards District Office, examination of the aircraft maintenance records showed that Airworthiness Directive 87-20-03R2, which pertains to the inspection of the seat tracks, had been complied with. The FAA inspector also reported that the pilot gave a verbal statement in which he reported that he had forgotten to engage the seat locking pin before the flight. The pilot also reported to the Safety Board that he had recently flown 30 hours in a Citabria tail dragger airplane and that " . . . [his] lack of landing practice in [a] Cessna 150 caused [the] bounce on landing."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 PST
Nearest AirportSan Carlos (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150F
Tail NumberN7911F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data