# NTSB LAX86LA094: Cessna 150L, N21995, Cottonwood, AZ, January 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1986, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.750518, -112.009452 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7505&lon=-112.0095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA094

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not attained (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - undetermined
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR ABOUT 4 YRS. THE PLT INTENDED TO FLY IT TO CHANDLER, AZ, FOR AN ANNUAL INSPN. THE PAX STATED THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY MADE A TEST FLT, BUT HAD A PROBLEM STARTING THE ENG. RPRTDLY, THE PLT 'CLEANED THE FUEL SYSTEM AND FILLED THE TANKS' BEFORE TAKING OFF ON THE ACDNT FLT. DRG TAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT ENTERED A RIGHT TURN & DSCNDD INTO TREES & CRASHED. THE PAX STATED THAT THE ENG DID NOT STOP RUNNING. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE PRESUMED PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. NO RECORD WAS FOUND OF THE PLT EVER HAVING HELD AN FAA PLT CERTIFICATE. AN NTSB FORM 6120.1 (PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT) WAS MAILED TO THE PLT, BUT IT WAS RETURNED MARKED 'MOVED - NO FORWARDING ADDRESS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21995](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21995-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 15074598, built 1973 (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: 15074598
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Philop D. Watkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: P10, CHANDLER, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 21 nm away

## 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 19860118000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860118000879A), Jan 18, 1986: Cessna 150L, Cottonwood, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during takeoff after engine started losing power. Pilot had no license. Aircraft overdue annual.

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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