No fatalities

25 Jan 2020: Cessna 150 E — Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ Inc — Prescott, AZ

Prescott, AZ, United States

On 25 Jan 2020, a Cessna 150 E operated by Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Prescott, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper approach and landing flare, which resulted in a stall and a subsequent hard, bounced landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a touch-and-go descent, a pilot encountered difficulty controlling the airplane due to updrafts and tailwind, resulting in a stall and hard landing with substantial damage to the engine mount.

Incident Summary

A pilot reported that during a descent for a touch-and-go landing, the airplane was not descending as expected and the pilot realized he was high on the approach. The pilot adjusted the trim for a more nose-down attitude and extended the flaps to 40 degrees. Throughout the descent, the pilot experienced updrafts and a tailwind, making it difficult to control the airplane. After passing the touchdown point on the runway, the airplane stalled and landed hard, bouncing several times. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount assembly. The pilot noted that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Actions

The pilot attempted to correct the high approach by trimming the airplane for a more nose-down attitude and fully extending the flaps. Despite these inputs, the airplane remained difficult to control due to environmental conditions. The pilot reported handling difficulties throughout the descent.

Outcome

The airplane impacted the runway hard beyond the intended touchdown point, resulting in multiple bounces. The damage was limited to the engine mount area. Post-incident examination by the pilot found no mechanical issues.

Contributing factors

Landing flare — Not attained/maintainedPilotDescent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedAngle of attack — Not attained/maintained