Incident Overview
On September 26, 2025, at approximately 0915 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150F, registration N8171S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The flight instructor and student pilot on board sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight.
Flight Details
The flight instructor reported that he and the student pilot were relocating the recently purchased aircraft from Marana Regional Airport (AVQ) in Marana, Arizona, to Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU) in Boulder City, Nevada. The flight plan included a fuel stop at Lake Havasu City Airport (HII). The pilot stated that the fuel tanks were topped off the night before the flight.
Preflight and Power Loss
Before departure, a preflight inspection was conducted, including a visual check of fuel in the tanks and sumping of the tanks. No abnormalities were noted. During the flight, approximately 15 miles southeast of HII, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The flight crew performed emergency checklists but was unable to restore engine power.
Forced Landing
Unable to maintain altitude, the flight instructor initiated a forced landing to a highway. However, due to heavy traffic on the highway, he diverted to a nearby open area used for remote-controlled airplane operations. During the approach, the airplane overflew the intended landing area, struck a dirt berm, and nosed over. The wreckage examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.
Post-Accident Actions
The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. No additional details were provided regarding the cause of the power loss or the extent of the damage beyond the substantial damage noted.