# NTSB WPR26LA042: Cessna 150, N6495T, Marana, AZ, November 9, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 9, 2025, 11:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Marana, AZ - Coordinates: 32.409556, -111.21838 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4096&lon=-111.2184&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 201986 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201986/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201986 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA042 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper starting procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with an airport fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not installed/available (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after he had taxied to the runup area, he decided to shut down the engine and verify the fuel levels. Afterwards, he attempted to restart the engine and found that the battery was dead. He exited the airplane, chocked the left main landing gear, set the throttle and magneto switch before he hand propped the engine. . . After the engine started, he removed the chock from the left main landing gear and attempted to re-enter the airplane. As the pilot re-entered the airplane, the throttle lock loosened, and the airplane accelerated forward without the pilot in the airplane. The unoccupied airplane subsequently impacted an airport fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6495T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6495T), registered now, S/N 17895, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150) (registry code 2071802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17895 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 5905.15 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2025 - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: AVQ, Marana Regional Airport - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2025; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 510.8 total, 477.1 in this make and model, 449 as pilot in command, 10.7 in the last 90 days, 7.6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KAVQ - METAR: KAVQ 091755Z AUTO 09008KT 10SM CLR 25/01 A3015 RMK AO2 ## 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 20251109016659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251109016659A), Nov 9, 2025: Cessna 150, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. The pilot was operating a Cessna 150, [privacy data omitted]. While taxiing to the runday, to depart, he reported that the engine quit and then discovered that… ## Other investigations on N6495T (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 LAX67F0140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67F0140), Oct 7, 1966: Cessna 150 (N6495T), Huntingtn Bch, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 15, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201986. 16.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 15.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19604323&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19709920&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19606684&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-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.