Casualties unknown

2006-05-07: Cessna 150M (N66705) — Green Valley, AZ

Green Valley, AZ, US

On May 7, 2006, a Cessna 150M (registration N66705) was involved in an aviation accident near Green Valley, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the failure of the certified flight instructor to retract the flaps to the proper go-around setting and to attain/maintain an adequate airspeed, which led to a stall/mush. 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 go-around, the airplane veered off the runway and struck a dirt berm. The CFI had taken control and configured flaps at 30 degrees but did not raise them after initiating the go-around.

Incident Summary

The airplane veered off the runway during a go-around and collided with a dirt berm located on airport property. The aircraft was being flown by a certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot.

Flight Sequence

The CFI and student were returning to the airport for a full-stop landing. On final approach, the CFI took control of the airplane and configured the landing with 30 degrees of flaps. A gust of wind caused the airplane to drift off the runway centerline. The landing was no longer assured, so the CFI committed to a go-around.

During the go-around, the CFI did not raise the flaps because the airplane was continuing to descend. When the CFI realized a climb out was not possible, he kept the wings level and pitched the nose to the horizon to maintain best airspeed. When a touchdown on the runway was no longer feasible, he banked the airplane left, and it impacted a dirt pile.

Flap Configuration

The Pilot Operating Handbook for the aircraft specifies that the wing flap setting should be reduced to 20 degrees immediately after full power is applied during a go-around. In this event, the flaps remained at 30 degrees throughout the maneuver.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060531X00653. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.