# NTSB LAX95LA116: Cessna 150G, N2688J, Carefree, AZ, February 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 20, 1995, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Carefree, AZ - Coordinates: 33.820648, -111.899757 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8206&lon=-111.8998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29041 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29041/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA116 ## Probable cause the pilot's premature retraction of the flaps and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT SAID HE INTENDED TO LAND AT THE AIRSTRIP TO EXAMINE THE SURROUNDING LAND FOR POSSIBLE CAMPING TRIPS. HE PLANNED TO MEET HIS SON, WHO WAS DRIVING TO THE SITE IN A FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLE. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS HIGH DURING THE APPROACH TO THE 1,000-FOOT-LONG DIRT STRIP AND DECIDED TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND AFTER FLOATING ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS. HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERED' MOMENTARILY THEN 'CAUGHT;' HOWEVER, HE LET THE AIRSPEED GET TOO SLOW AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED INTO THE GROUND ABOUT 1/4 MILE BEYOND THE RUNWAY. A POSTCRASH FIRE ERUPTED AND CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT, TO INCLUDE ALL ENGINE ACCESSORIES. IN HIS WRITTEN REPORT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OF THE AIRCRAFT. ## Factual narrative On February 20, 1995, at 1530 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150G, N2688J, collided with the ground during an attempted go- around at a private dirt airstrip near Carefree, Arizona. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm winds according to the pilot. No flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence and postcrash fire. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Glendale, Arizona, airport on the day of the accident at 1415 hours. In an interview with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the pilot said he intended to land at the airstrip to examine the surrounding land for possible camping trips. He planned to meet his son, who was driving to the site in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The pilot said he was high during the approach to the 1,000-foot-long dirt strip and decided to execute a go-around after floating about 2/3 of the way down the runway. The pilot said he applied full power and retracted the flaps. He reported that the engine "sputtered" momentarily then "caught;" however, he let the airspeed get too slow and the aircraft stalled. The aircraft settled into the ground about 1/4 mile beyond the runway. A postcrash fire erupted and consumed the aircraft, to include all engine accessories. In his written report, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures of the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2688J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2688J-1995-10-16), registration cancelled 1995-10-16, S/N 15065688 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15065688 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Westly D. Witter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1994 - Departed: GUE, GLENDALE, AZ - Destination: NONE - Airport: Red Creek Airstrip, runway 27, 1,000 × 30 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19950220002279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950220002279A), Feb 20, 1995: Cessna STC150, Carefree, AZ, Destroyed. High for landing on 1000 ft strip. Floated using 2/3 runway. Overboosted on go around . Stalled beyond runway. ## Other investigations on N2688J (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX82DUJ41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DUJ41), Jun 27, 1982: Cessna 150G (N2688J), Pima, AZ, substantial damage 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.