# NTSB LAX91LA402: Cessna 150M, N63553, Buckeye, AZ, September 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1991, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.380828, -112.550956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3808&lon=-112.5510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA402
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA402

## Probable cause

THE PASSENGER/CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S POOR JUDGEMENT BY INTERFERING WITH THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO EXECUTE A TIMELY GO-AROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE CFI'S MISJUDGMENT OF ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - open field
  - control interference - intentional, passenger (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, passenger (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

WHEN THE FLT ARRIVED AT ITS DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE PASSENGER, A CFI, SUGGESTED TO THE PIC, A PRIVATE PILOT, THAT HE PRACTICE A SIMULATED ENGINE OUT APPROACH/LANDING.  THE PIC THROTTLED BACK THE ENGINE UPON ENTERING THE LEFT DOWNWIND LEG.  WHEN ON FINAL APPROACH WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED, THE PIC REALIZED THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH AND BEGAN TO SLIP THE AIRPLANE.  WHEN NEARING THE THRESHOLD THE ACFT WAS STILL TOO HIGH AND THE PAX (CFI) ASSUMED THE CONTROLS AND ENTERED A 360 DEGREE TURN.  DURING THE TURN THE CFI REALIZED THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO LOW AND APPLIED POWER TO GO AROUND, BUT TO NO AVAIL.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63553](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63553-2014-10-28), registration cancelled 2014-10-28, S/N 15077391 (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: 15077391
- Airframe hours: 4402
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph B. Dulin
- Registered owner: Joseph B. Dulin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1991, 40 hours before
- Departed: P19, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: BXK, Buckeye, runway 17, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 275 total, 230 in this make and model, 221 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19910921042149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910921042149A), Sep 21, 1991: Cessna 150M, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. Stalled on practice overhead approach. Wing hit ground and aircraft cartwheeled. CFI passenger attempted recovery.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.