History of Flight
On November 14, 2010, at about 1215 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150J (N60858) struck terrain on final approach to runway 33 at Ryan Field Airport near Tucson, Arizona. The aircraft was operated by Kelly's Aviation under 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local supervised solo flight, which had originated from Ryan Field about 15 minutes earlier.
A certificated flight instructor (CFI) from Kelly's Aviation reported that the pilot was working toward a single-engine land add-on rating. After about 40 minutes of pattern work, the CFI exited the airplane near a run-up area, intending to observe the pilot conduct three takeoffs and landings solo. The CFI saw the pilot depart on runway 6R uneventfully, then observed two touch-and-go landings on runways 6R and 33. The third approach appeared normal until, on short final at about 60 feet above ground level, the airplane pitched severely nose-down and descended out of sight behind a hangar, followed by the sound of impact.
Personnel Information
The 56-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a glider rating and a flight instructor certificate with a glider rating. He was issued a third-class medical certificate on May 18, 2010, with no limitations. According to his most recent medical application, he had 248 total flight hours. His personal logbook showed 29 hours in single-engine aircraft as of November 13, 2010, with 9.1 hours in the accident make and model.
Aircraft Information
The two-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear Cessna 150J (serial number 15070625) was manufactured in 1969. It was powered by a Teledyne Continental Motors O-200-A engine rated at 100 horsepower, with a McCauley fixed-pitch propeller. The most recent annual inspection was performed on March 3, 2010, and the most recent 100-hour inspection on September 15, 2010. The last maintenance was an oil change on October 28, 2010.
Meteorological Information
At 1204, the automated weather observation station at Ryan Field reported wind from 340 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 19°C, dew point -8°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inches of mercury.
Airport Information
Ryan Field Airport operates under class Delta airspace and has three asphalt runways. Runway 33 is 4,000 feet long and 75 feet wide.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted sandy terrain about 72 feet from the approach end of runway 33 and came to rest inverted on a heading of about 179 degrees magnetic. Wreckage debris was found within 80 feet of the main wreckage. The wings remained attached but had leading edges crushed aft throughout their span. The flap actuator indicated 30 degrees of flaps. The elevator trim was measured at about 10 degrees nose-up. Flight control continuity was established to an impact-damaged area below the cockpit seats; all cables appeared continuous. The engine was displaced aft into the cockpit area but remained attached by lines and partial mounts. Examination revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies. The engine rotated by hand with continuity and compression on all cylinders, and both magnetos produced spark. Spark plugs showed normal operation signatures. The propeller exhibited chordwise scratching and blade polishing consistent with rotation at impact.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted by the Pima County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological testing by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs, but detected salicylates (aspirin). Review by an NTSB medical doctor noted severe atherosclerotic disease in the left anterior descending artery, moderate in the right coronary artery, and moderate to severe in the aorta, as well as left ventricular hypertrophy. The pilot's medical records showed treatment for elevated cholesterol and hay fever, and he was prescribed daily aspirin.
Tests and Research
A portable Garmin GPSMap 196 recovered from the airplane was examined at the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, but no data from the accident flight was recovered.