# NTSB WPR21LA127: Cessna 150E, N6135T, Marana, AZ, February 27, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 27, 2021, 11:16 local (18:16 UTC) - Place: Marana, AZ · Off-field landing - Coordinates: 32.48843, -111.2924 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4884&lon=-111.2924&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 102746 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102746/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102746 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA127 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 150E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071812), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis After accomplishing a touch-and-go landing while in the traffic pattern at an altitude of about 1,300 ft above ground level, the airplane lost total engine power. The pilot was unable to restore power and made a forced landing in a field. When the nose gear was lowered during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The first postaccident test run of the engine revealed that it could run but not continuously. The engine’s carburetor was examined, and no anomalies were noted. During a second test run, the engine started uneventfully and ran for several minutes at various power settings. Examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. As a result, the investigation was unable to determine the cause of the total loss of engine power during the accident flight based on the available evidence for the investigation. ## Factual narrative On February 27, 2021, about 1116 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150E airplane, N6135T, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marana, Arizona. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. According to the pilot, after accomplishing a touch-and-go landing and while in the traffic pattern at an altitude of about 1,300 ft above ground level, the airplane lost engine power. The pilot was unable to restore power and decided to make a forced landing. The pilot selected a location that looked like a dirt road. As the airplane approached the selected landing location, the pilot realized that it was a ditch full of water, so he maneuvered the airplane to an adjacent field. When the nose gear was lowered during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the tail, nose landing gear, and airframe firewall. During postaccident examination of the engine, an external fuel source was attached to the airplane’s fuel line, and the battery was charged. The engine started uneventfully but ran for several seconds only and not continuously. Examination of the engine’s carburetor found no anomalies. The carburetor was secured back to the engine to accomplish another engine run. The engine started uneventfully and ran for several minutes at various power settings. The magnetos were checked, and an appropriate drop in engine rpm was noted. The engine ran smoothly and responded to rapid throttle movements. No anomalies were noted during the engine run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6135T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6135T-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 15060835, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150E - 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: 15060835 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 5201.7 - Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: November Tango LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 2021 - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: AVQ, Marana, AZ - Airport: AVQ, Marana Regional Airport - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 5, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,295 total, 230 in this make and model, 3,205 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: RYN, 23.3 nm away ## 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 20210227002429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210227002429A), Feb 27, 2021: Cessna 150E, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. After departing chd the pilot completed touch and go's at mzj. After completing the touch and go's (en route to avq) the pilot reported engine issues and made… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102746. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14825674&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine examination summary (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14825641&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA127%20Engine%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 234 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14825229&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2022%20Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Form%20N6135T_Redacted-Rel.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.