Accident Details
On February 27, 2021, at approximately 1116 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150E airplane, registration N6135T, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Marana, Arizona. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was being conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, after completing a touch-and-go landing and while in the traffic pattern at an altitude of about 1,300 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to restore power and decided to execute a forced landing. He selected a landing area that appeared to be a dirt road. However, as the airplane approached the chosen spot, the pilot realized it was a ditch filled with water. He then maneuvered the airplane toward an adjacent field. During the landing roll, when the nose gear was lowered, the airplane nosed over. This resulted in substantial damage to the tail, nose landing gear, and airframe firewall.
Postaccident Examination
During the postaccident examination of the engine, an external fuel source was connected to the airplane’s fuel line, and the battery was charged. When started, the engine ran for several seconds but did not run continuously. An examination of the engine’s carburetor revealed no anomalies. The carburetor was reattached to the engine for another engine run. This time, the engine started normally and ran for several minutes at various power settings. The magnetos were checked, and an appropriate drop in engine rpm was noted. The engine ran smoothly and responded appropriately to rapid throttle movements. No anomalies were found during this engine run.