Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

November 13, 2019 · Cessna 150 M · N704QJ

Red Rock, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 13, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Red Rock, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 150 M (1976)
Tail Number
N704QJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR20LA022

The pilot reported that he recently purchased the airplane, and the accident flight was a familiarization flight. After taking off, he conducted some maneuvers before proceeding to another airport to perform a touch-and-go landing. About 6 miles away from the airport, he reduced the power setting to about 1,900 rpm and started the descent to land; about 1 mile from the airport, he reduced power to 1,500 rpm, and then idle on final approach. He stated that he applied carburetor heat about halfway to reduce its effect on engine performance. During takeoff following the touch-and-go landing, the airplane started to shake, and about 1,500 ft above the ground, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field; during which the nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage. About 8 gallons of fuel was drained from the airplane during recovery. The engine was rotated by hand at the propeller, and internal continuity and cylinder compression was confirmed. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of carburetor icing at glide power settings. Given that the pilot extended the carburetor heat control only halfway, the heat applied was likely insufficient to prevent the formation of carburetor ice during the reduced power descent toward the airport, and the subsequent total loss of power was the result of carburetor icing.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper use of carburetor heat.

Full Narrative

On November 13, 2019, at 0015 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150 airplane, N704QJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marana, Arizona. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he recently purchased the airplane, and the accident flight was a familiarization flight. After taking off he conducted some maneuvers before he proceeded to another airport to perform a touch-and-go landing. About 6 miles away from the airport, he reduced the power setting to about 1,900 rpm and started the descent to land; about 1 mile from the airport, he reduced power to 1,500 rpm, and then idle on final approach. He stated that he applied carburetor heat about halfway to reduce its effect on engine performance. During takeoff, the airplane started to shake, and about 1,500 ft above the ground, the engine lost total power. He performed a forced landing to a field; during which the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintenance inspector revealed that the handle for the fuel strainer drain was extended about 1/2 inch. In addition, fuel streaking was found on the belly of the airplane extending from the drain port on the bottom of the cowling. The handle was manipulated by hand and operated normally. Engine compression and internal continuity was confirmed when the propeller was rotated by hand. A representative from Textron Aviation reported that, when the carburetor heat control is pulled only halfway out, it will produce half the heat than when fully extended. Weather about the time of the accident indicated a temperature of 14°C and a dewpoint of 0°C. According to FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE 09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, this temperature/dew point was conducive to the development of icing at glide power settings. SAIB CE-09-35 stated that: …pilots should be aware that carburetor icing doesn't just occur in freezing conditions, it can occur at temperatures well above freezing temperatures when there is visible moisture or high humidity. Icing can occur in the carburetor at temperatures above freezing because vaporization of fuel, combined with the expansion of air as it flows through the carburetor, (Venturi Effect) causes sudden cooling, sometimes by a significant amount within a fraction of a second. Carburetor ice can be detected by a drop in rpm in fixed pitch propeller airplanes and a drop in manifold pressure in constant speed propeller airplanes. In both types, usually there will be a roughness in engine operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:15 MST
Nearest AirportPinal Airpark (2nm ENE)
Runway12
Runway Length6849 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150 M
Tail NumberN704QJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 SERIES · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 32 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time07:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data