# NTSB ERA25LA225: Cessna 150J, N150FJ, Elberta, AL, June 1, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: June 1, 2025, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Elberta, AL
- Coordinates: 30.429559, -87.543548
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4296&lon=-87.5435&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 200298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA225
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA225

## Preliminary report

On June 1, 2025, at about 1200 central daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N150FJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Elberta, Alabama. The pilot and the pilot- rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated under as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilots were flying from Shields Airport (AL55), in Lillian, ALAlabama. (AL55) to Jeremiah Denton Airport (4R9), Dauphin Island, AL. Airport (4R9)Alabama to have lunch. A few minutes after takeoff during the initial climb, the engine suddenly started running rough and engine RPM rpm reduced to approximately1,400 RPM. The pilot-rated passenger, who was a flight instructor, who was not flying at the time, took the controls and carburetor heat was applied with no effect on the engine’s performance. They attempted to land at Perdido Winds Airpark (AL08), Elberta, Alabama, ; but however, they were too high on the approach and opted to attempt a forced landing in a field to the west. As they turned base for their approach to the field, the engine experienced a total loss of powerlost all power. During the approach to the field, they noticed that there was a barbed wire fence running through the field, but landing was already assured, so they elected to continue with the landing. After touching down, they struck the fence, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and engine mount. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N150FJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N150FJ), registered now, S/N 15071001, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071001
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 8202
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Johns Randal J
- Registered owner: Johns Randal J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2024, 14 hours before
- Departed: AL55, Lillian, AL
- Destination: 4R9, Dauphin Island, AL
- Airport: AL55, Shields
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KCQF, 18 nm away
- METAR: KCQF 021715Z AUTO 12003KT 10SM SCT046 BKN080 28/18 A3002 RMK AO2

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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