Cessna 150G accident near Barstow, California, July 7, 1997
On July 7, 1997 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Cessna 150G, registered N458AE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Barstow, California (Barstow-Daggett airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's inability to attain directional control of the aircraft due to an improperly adjusted parking brake spring.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 1997 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Barstow, California · Barstow-Daggett
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150G · all 150Gs on the register
- Registration
- N458AE · no longer on the register · serial 15066610
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses reported that the aircraft was taxiing to the active runway when the aircraft veered off the taxiway, hit a sand dune, and nosed over. The student pilot reported that the aircraft's right brake failed and the aircraft veered to the left and departed the runway. An A & P mechanic with inspection authorization examined the aircraft. He reported that the right brake functioned properly, but that the left parking brake spring was not adjusted properly, allowing the left brake to be activated at all times.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 75 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EED Needles CA at 4:55 pm
- Destination: VNY Van Nuys CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 6,400 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from DAG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.