Casualties unknown

2004-07-16: Cessna 150L (N18542) — LA Center, WA

LA Center, WA, US

On July 16, 2004, a Cessna 150L (registration N18542) was involved in an aviation accident near LA Center, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The private pilot receiving the flight review's failure to follow the Owner’s Manual's procedures for a go-around. Contributing factors were the flight instructor's delay in telling the private pilot to go-around, and the trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a flight review, a private pilot initiated a go-around by raising flaps first, causing the airplane to mush. The instructor took control but the airplane struck trees and impacted the ground.

Accident Sequence

A flight instructor was conducting a flight review with a private pilot. During the approach, the private pilot had configured the airplane for landing with the flaps fully extended. The instructor observed that the airplane was high and long for a landing and instructed the private pilot to abort the landing and execute a go-around.

According to the instructor, the private pilot first raised the flaps, and the airplane "immediately" mushed to a lower altitude. The instructor then applied full power and moved the carburetor heat to the off position. He took control of the airplane and attempted to continue the flight, but the airplane struck some trees and impacted the ground.

The private pilot receiving the flight review stated that he believed he first applied power and then moved the carburetor heat to off. He reported approximately 200 hours of total flight experience and flew about 5 to 10 hours per year.

Manufacturer's Procedure

The Owner's Manual for the airplane specifies the go-around procedure as follows: 1. Throttle — Full "Open." 2. Carburetor Heat — Cold. 3. Wing Flaps — Retract to 20 degrees. 4. Upon reaching an airspeed of approximately 65 MPH, retract flaps slowly.

Conclusion

The accident sequence involved a deviation from the manufacturer's recommended go-around procedure, with the flaps being raised before the application of power and adjustment of carburetor heat.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040810X01178. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.