# NTSB LAX91LA263: Cessna 152, N49627, Fountain Hills, AZ, June 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1991, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Fountain Hills, AZ
- Location: 33.6078° N, 111.7384° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fountain Hills, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6078&lon=-111.7384&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA263

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT AND INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO CORRECTLY CONFIGURE THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - rising

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT THE STUDENT WAS PRACTICING POWER OFF EMERGENCY LANDINGS AT A SMALL AIRSTRIP NEAR FOUNTAIN HILLS.  DURING THE LAST APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY THE INSTRUCTOR NOTICED THAT THE GLIDE PATH WOULD PUT THE AIRCRAFT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY SO HE TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND ADDED POWER TO GO AROUND.  THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE ENGINE FALTERED AND THE AIRCRAFT COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN JUST BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED ON SCENE BY FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS.  IN THEIR REPORT, THEY NOTED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS IN THE FULL ON POSITION AND THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS FULL RICH.  THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE IN EXCESS OF 5,000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49627](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49627-2002-07-10), registration cancelled 2002-07-10, S/N 15283485, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283458
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Superstition Air Service
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NONE, Abandoned, runway 36, 3,000 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,355 total, 527 in this make and model, 1,245 as pilot in command, 249 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 104 °F

## 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 19910615022039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910615022039A), Jun 15, 1991: Cessna 152, Fountain Hills, AZ, Substantial damage. CFI had student make go around 50 ft AGL with carb heat and rising terrain. Impacted beyond runway.

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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