# NTSB LAX91LA092: Cessna 150M, N9433U, Buckeye, AZ, February 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1991, 10:31 local (17:31 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.379665, -112.549026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3797&lon=-112.5490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA092

## Probable cause

THAT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL FAILED TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE WINGS BY NOT RECONNECTING THE BOLTS AT THE BELLCRANK AND PERFORMED AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - flight control,aileron attachment - disconnected
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE CFI AND NONCERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED GOODYEAR, AZ, ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT.  WHILE PRACTICING GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVERS THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A LOSS OF AILERON CONTROL.  THE CFI EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO A DRYWASH.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A BERM DURING THE LANDING ROLL.  THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT ONE OF THE AILERON CABLES DISCONNECTED FROM THE BELLCRANK.  THE CONNECTING NUT AND BOLT WAS NOT LOCATED.  ANOTHER BOLT, ALTHOUGH ATTACHED TO THE BELLCRANK, DID NOT CONTAIN A CORRESPONDING NUT.  BOTH WINGS WERE REINSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE ABOUT 22 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.  THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ABOUT 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.  THE SAME MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REINSTALLATION OF BOTH WINGS AND THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9433U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9433U-1993-08-31), registration cancelled 1993-08-31, S/N 15078381 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1507838
- Airframe hours: 3727
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Action Aviation
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1990, 58 hours before
- Departed: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,200 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,085 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 60 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 19910206001999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910206001999A), Feb 6, 1991: Cessna 150M, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost aileron control during low level ground reference dual. Aileron cable separated from bell crank assembly.

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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