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Accidents · NTSB MIA07LA014 · Final report

Cessna 150J accident near Defuniak Springs, Florida, November 11, 2006

On November 11, 2006 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Cessna 150J, registered N50977, was substantially damaged in an accident near Defuniak Springs, Florida (Defuniak Springs airport). 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
November 11, 2006 · about 3:30 pm local time
Place
Defuniak Springs, Florida · Defuniak Springs · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 150J · all 150Js on the register
Registration
N50977 · no longer on the register · serial 15069685
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot stated that he performed a preflight examination of the airplane, and during the examination he shook the airplane’s wings well, and sumped both fuel tanks until no evidence of water existed in the sample, adding, "you always get a few drops in a Cessna." He said he then opened the cowl access and drained the sump, which contained some water, so he emptied the jar and activated the drain again, this time obtaining a clean sample. He then used a small stool and checked both wing with the calibrated tube he had purchased for that purpose, and the tube showed that that there were 8 gallons in the right fuel tank, and 7 gallons in the left. After completing the pretakeoff items, the pilot affected a takeoff, with the intention of remaining in the pattern. While on left downwind, in the area of the end of the landing runway, the pilot said the engine backfired 2 or 3 times quickly as he retarded the throttle control to reduce power and make the approach. He said he did not think too much about it, because he thought he had possibly retarded the throttle control too quickly. While on final approach he was a bit too high, so the pilot said he pushed the throttle and carburetor heat controls full forward, and did a full power low pass over the runway. He said the engine was operating fine, and developed full power as he climbed out. While still climbing he turned crosswind, and then initiated the turn downwind. During the turn to left downwind, the pilot said the engine "back popped a few times and lost all power." The pilot said he avoided trees and tried to align with the runway to affect a forced landing, but the airplane was descending fast, and he touched down on a cross taxiway, at the end of the runway. During the landing rollout the nose-wheel dug into the soft dirt, and the airplane nosed over, incurring damage. An FAA inspector and a representative of Teledyne Continental Motors performed a postcrash examination of the aircraft. The examination revealed evidence of rust in the carburetor bowl and evidence of heavy corrosion in the bottom of the gascolator bowl, No anomalies were noted which would have precluded engine operation.

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: 360 hours in all; 312 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 294 as pilot in command
  • Last flight review: January 1, 2005
  • Medical certificate: Class 3
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: minor injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 3,582 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2006
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: 54J Defuniak Spring FL at 3:15 pm
  • Destination: 54J
  • Flight plan: none

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 210° at 5 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 ft
  • Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
  • Observation at 3:53 pm from PFN

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1
Passengers1

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.