# NTSB ANC91LA095: Cessna 150L, N5321Q, Fairbanks, AK, July 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1991, 13:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.810752, -147.719635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8108&lon=-147.7196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA095

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPERLY PERFORMED 100 HOUR INSPECTION BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, descent - normal
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - normal
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THROTTLE MOVEMENTS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE BOLT HAD COME OUT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE ROD END THAT CONNECTS TO THE CARBURETOR. NONE OF THE CONNECTING HARDWARE WAS FOUND. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5321Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5321Q-2026-10-03), registration cancelled 2026-10-03, S/N 15073221 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073221
- Airframe hours: 3953
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Donald K. Sparks
- Registered owner: Donald K. Sparks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 25, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: FAI, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 12,296 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 12,227 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910707026329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910707026329A), Jul 7, 1991: Cessna 150L, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Throttle became disconnected in flight. Engine went to idle. Nosed over on forced landing.

## Other investigations on N5321Q (2)

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.

- [NTSB CEN25LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA057), Dec 6, 2024: Cessna 150L (N5321Q), Meridian, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate verification of…
- [NTSB FTW85LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA279), Jul 7, 1985: Cessna 150L (N5321Q), Killeen, TX, substantial damage

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.

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