Cessna 150 accident near Auxvasse, Missouri, December 5, 2008
On December 5, 2008 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Cessna 150, registered N1521Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Auxvasse, Missouri. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper engine recovery procedures after a power-off stall which resulted in a loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper off-field landing procedures, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 5, 2008 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Auxvasse, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 L · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N1521Q · no longer on the register · serial 15072821
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed the local airport with intent of practicing traffic pattern work and basic flight maneuvers. After 3 touch and go maneuvers, the pilot departed the traffic pattern and flew the airplane to the designated practice area. After performing a couple 360-degrees turns and slow flight, the pilot attempted a power-off stall. In order to prepare for the power-off stall, the pilot retarded the throttle and applied the carburetor heat. During the recovery of the power-off stall, the pilot "rapidly" applied engine power, closed the carburetor heat, and the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, however, the restart was unsuccessful. The pilot elected to perform an emergency off-airport landing. During the forced landing to a field, the pilot landed the airplane in a downwind direction and was high on the final approach. The pilot stated that he should have slipped the airplane during the approach which would have allowed for "use of more of the chosen field...a longer flare and a lighter touchdown at a lower airspeed." The airplane impact crops and terrain and came to rest on its nose. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was buckled. According to a designated pilot examiner, the rapid throttle application can result in engine flooding and subsequent engine failure.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › (general) › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 92 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 53 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 2, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,262 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 16, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FTT Fulton MO at 7:10 pm
- Destination: FTT Fulton MO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Observation at 7:54 pm from COU, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.