Cessna 150E accident near Marana, Arizona, November 12, 2000
On November 12, 2000 at about 5:50 pm local time, a Cessna 150E, registered N4031U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marana, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to an improper maintenance adjustment to the float valve retractor clip of the carburetor. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing and high vegetation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 12, 2000 · about 5:50 pm local time
- Place
- Marana, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150E · all 150Es on the register
- Registration
- N4031U · no longer on the register · serial 15061431
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane made a forced landing in an open desert area and came to rest inverted after colliding with desert brush. Earlier that morning, a 20-minute flight from home base to a local airport was conducted for the purpose of flight training for the pilot's son. Prior to the return flight, the son informed his father that during his flight the engine would balk, sputter, and cough every time he added power. When asked by his father if he was engaging the throttle too quickly, the son replied that he did not. The CFI was asked if he had noticed any problems with the engine. He replied that there was nothing unusual experienced with the engine. No discrepancies were noted during the taxi, takeoff roll, or initial climb out. About 15 minutes into the flight the pilot noted a drop in rpm. He made several unsuccessful attempts to troubleshoot the problem. When he applied carburetor heat, there was a further loss of rpm. The external examination of the engine disclosed no discrepancies. The engine was test run. The first engine start was unsuccessful. Ether was sprayed on the intake filter and several more attempts were made to start the engine. The engine would start, but would only run for 10 seconds during those attempts. The carburetor was removed and inspected. Fuel was observed in the bowl with unrestricted movement of the floats, and the main jet appeared free of debris. The carburetor was sent to the manufacturer for further examination. During the bench test when fuel was initially applied, it flooded the carburetor. When the outside of the carburetor was manually tapped the flooding stopped. No further discrepancies were noted with the bench test. An internal examination revealed that the float valve retractor clip was adjusted too loosely on the float and needle to ensure a positive retraction of the needle. This allowed for the clip to stick in the down position and allowed an increased amount of fuel to enter the carburetor. A blue silicone substance was found around the accelerator pump sump retainer and sump. The accelerator pump discharge check valve was leaking and not sealing properly. No further discrepancies were noted.
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: 109 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 58 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,513 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 20, 2000; 47 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental 150E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RYN Tucson AZ at 5:40 pm
- Destination: E14 AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 126°F (52°C), dew point 93°F (34°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from TUS, 27 miles away
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.