# NTSB WPR20CA084: Cessna 150, N31ER, Prescott, AZ, January 25, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 25, 2020, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.652778, -112.421112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6528&lon=-112.4211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100873 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100873/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100873 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA084 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper approach and landing flare, which resulted in a stall and a subsequent hard, bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the descent for a touch-and-go landing, the airplane was not descending, and he noticed that the airplane was high on the approach. The pilot trimmed the airplane for a more nose-down attitude and extended the flaps to 40°. Throughout the descent, the pilot had a difficult time controlling the airplane as it encountered updrafts and a tailwind. After passing the touchdown point on the runway, the airplane stalled, landed hard, and bounced several times. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount assembly. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the descent for a touch-and-go landing, the airplane was not descending and he noticed that he was high on the approach. The pilot trimmed the airplane for a more nose down attitude and extended the flaps to 40o. Throughout the descent, the pilot had a difficult time controlling the airplane as he experienced updrafts and a tailwind. After passing the touchdown point on the runway, the airplane stalled and landed hard on the runway, bouncing several times. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount assembly. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31ER](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31ER), registered now, S/N 15061072, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 (E) - Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15061072 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 9841 - Engines: Continental O-200 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ Inc - Registered owner: Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 12, 2019 - Departed: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Destination: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Airport: PRC, Prescott Rgnl - Ernest A Love, runway 21R, 4,846 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 139 total, 52 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KPRC ## 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 20200125001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200125001829A), Jan 25, 2020: Cessna 150E, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. On January 25, 2020, at 12:35, MST, aircraft N31ER, Cessna 150-150, serial number 15061072, experienced a propeller strike upon landing at Prescott, Arizona… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 10, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100873. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481097&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481098&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF 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.