History of Flight
On August 24, 2013, about 1536 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N18699, was substantially damaged after a loss of engine power during a go-around at Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and sole passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight that originated from Wasilla Airport at about 1515, with a destination of Merrill Field.
Recorded radio transmissions between the pilot and Merrill Field Air Traffic Control Tower revealed that the pilot was initially cleared to land on runway 25 behind a landing Cessna 172. After the Cessna 172 landed, the controller instructed the accident pilot to go around, but the pilot did not respond. Despite two subsequent requests, no response was received, but the airplane stopped descending and continued over runway 25.
Multiple witnesses reported seeing the airplane about 100 feet above runway 25 in a nose-high attitude. As it continued over the departure end, witnesses heard the engine quit, followed by a steep left turn back to the airport. During the turn, the airplane rolled left, descended vertically nose-first, and collided with grass-covered terrain west of runway 25.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 31, held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and sea, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane ratings. A second-class medical certificate was issued on September 12, 2012, with no limitations. The pilot reported 997 total flight hours, with 230 hours in the previous 6 months. One logbook showed 536.8 hours total flight time from February 1, 2007, to November 21, 2012; the most recent logbook was not located.
Aircraft Information
The airplane, manufactured in 1973, was a two-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear aircraft, serial number 15074051, powered by a Continental Motors O-200-A engine (100 hp) with a McCauley HCM6948 fixed-pitch propeller. It had two long-range fuel tanks holding 19 gallons each (1.5 gallons unusable per tank). The fuel selector valve had ON and OFF positions. The left wing had a fuel vent line. Airframe, engine, and propeller logbooks were not located.
Refueling records showed the airplane was most recently refueled on August 23, 2013, with 12.00 gallons of 100LL fuel at Merrill Field. Previous refuels on August 17 (16.77 gallons), August 13 (29.90 gallons), and August 9 (12.00 gallons) were also recorded.
Meteorological Information
The weather observation at Merrill Field at 1553 reported: wind light and variable at 3 knots; visibility 10 miles; clear sky; temperature 70°F; dew point 48°F; altimeter 29.94 inHg. FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 noted that the reported conditions were conducive for serious carburetor icing at glide power.
Airport Information
Merrill Field is a towered airport in Class-D airspace with three runways. Runway 7/25 is 4,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, elevation 137 feet mean sea level.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest in a nose-low position about 398 feet west of the departure end of runway 25, oriented on a heading of about 344° magnetic. Debris was within 50 feet. A ground scar about 2 feet wide, 6 inches long, and 5 inches deep was located about 5 feet in front of the main wreckage. Paint chips and a green navigation lens were found.
The right wing was intact and attached, with leading edge crushed aft. About 1.8 gallons of fuel was removed from the right tank; water test negative. The left wing was attached, with leading edge damage near the wingtip. About 1 quart of fuel was removed from the left tank; water test negative. The left wing fuel cap was secured.
The forward fuselage was crushed aft, and the engine was displaced aft and upward into the instrument panel. A circular impression on the cabin roof was consistent with engine crankcase impact. A small postaccident fire was observed near the engine and cowling.
The fuselage fuel strainer contained fuel with slight dirt; water test positive for a slight amount of water. The fuel selector valve was in the ON position. The vent line from the right to left tank was separated with impact damage. Control continuity was established from cockpit to all primary surfaces.
The engine was examined. The carburetor was separated, fire-damaged, and contained fire extinguishing material. No evidence of preexisting mechanical malfunction was found. The propeller remained attached with chordwise striations and slight aft bending.
Medical and Pathological Information
A post mortem examination attributed the pilot's cause of death to multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology tests were negative for carbon monoxide, alcohol, and drugs.
Fire
A small fire on the forward engine was extinguished by first responders. No soot was observed on the fuselage.
Tests and Research
A Garmin GPSMap 296 and Apple iPhone 4 were recovered. GPS data showed the accident flight started at 15:11:16 and ended at 15:26:14, with 160 data points. The flight departed Merrill Field at 14:08:36, flew toward Pioneer Peak, then to Wasilla Airport, and departed south at 15:15:08. The iPhone contained a text message and photos from the flight.