Cessna 150M accident near Algona, Iowa, December 21, 2005
On December 21, 2005 at about 1:38 am local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N9292U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Algona, Iowa. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadvertent flight into unexpected instrument conditions and his visual look out not possible during takeoff leading to the nose over during the emergency landing after takeoff. Factors were the unexpected fog and the dark night conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 21, 2005 · about 1:38 am local time
- Place
- Algona, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N9292U · no longer on the register · serial 15078242
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane piloted by a non-instrument rated private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and subsequent nose over during an off field landing after takeoff when the flight encountered unexpected fog about 1938. Dark night visual to instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot had returned from a cross country flight. The pilot stated, "On ground [approximately] 8 min[utes]. Took off AXA for a local flight. Sky looked clear. Rotated [and] climb to about 70'. Then engulfed in fog. ... Turned right to make open field to north of AXA. Could not see anything at this time. Cut power, leveled wings, [and] tried to just hold that attitude to reduce impact. Hit slightly nose down [attitude]. Skidded, then flipped over." The pilot checked the AXA Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). He stated that AWOS indicated clear weather before the flight. At 1915, the recorded weather was: Wind 310 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 7 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature -15 degrees C; Dew point -18 degrees C; altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury. At 1935, the recorded weather was: Wind 310 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 1/4 statute mile; present weather light snow; sky condition overcast 100 feet, temperature -14 degrees C; dew point -18 degrees C; altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 192 hours in all; 106 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: December 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,625.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2005; 2.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AXA Algona IA at 1:38 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 0.2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 100 ft
- Temperature: 7°F (-14°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 am from AXA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.