CESSNA 150 — Banning, CA

What happened

The commercial pilot and passenger completed several takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. They then departed to another airport, where they completed two takeoffs and landings. Shortly after turning onto the downwind leg of the traffic pattern before the third landing, at an altitude about 300 ft above ground level, the airplane entered a steep turn to the left and descended nose- and left-wing-low to ground contact.

A postaccident fire ensued that thermally damaged the fuselage and wings. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

The mother of the passenger reported that her son and the pilot were good friends. Her son had just purchased the airplane and was excited to learn how to fly. Review of flight track information indicated that the airplane’s altitude on the downwind leg of the traffic patterns throughout the flight was generally around 400 to 500 ft above ground level, and the airplane’s lateral distances from the runway during each pattern varied. Whether the pilot or passenger was controlling the airplane at the time of the accident could not be determined. Given the lack of mechanical anomalies, witness statements, and the orientation of the wreckage, the circumstances of the accident are consistent with an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and impact with terrain.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.