NTSB WPR22LA071 — 2021-12-30 · Johnsondale, California, United States

Current FAA registration · N7801Z

Make / Model: CESSNA 150C
Year of manufacture: 1963 · 58 years old at event
Engine: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES (100 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19630406
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AA9319

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N7801Z Cessna 150C None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing on a snow-covered unimproved runway.

Factual narrative

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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
— Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2021_WPR22LA071.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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