Cessna 150G accident near Miami, Florida, March 2, 2007
On March 2, 2007 at about 11:35 pm local time, a Cessna 150G, registered N682RA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Miami, Florida. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot-in-command's (CFI) continued operation of the airplane with known deficiencies (rough running engine). A factor in the accident was no suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 2, 2007 · about 11:35 pm local time
- Place
- Miami, Florida
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150G · all 150Gs on the register
- Registration
- N682RA · no longer on the register · serial 15067007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that the engine began to run rough while performing airwork during an instructional flight. He elected to divert to a nearby airport where he performed an uneventful precautionary landing. While on the ground he performed an engine run-up and noticed a discrepancy with the left magneto. He operated the engine to a high rpm setting with the fuel/air ratio leaned in an effort to clear what he thought was lead fouled spark plugs, and reported that the left magneto drop was within limits (150 rpm). The CFI did not contact the operator to get assistance related to the precautionary landing, and elected to return to the original departure airport. During climbout, when the flight was 6-7 miles from the destination airport, the engine vibrations began and the rpm fluctuated 200 rpm, decreased to 2,000 rpm, then further decreased and remained at 300-400 rpm. He maneuvered the airplane towards a grass airstrip that he knew about, but because of the low light and visibility restriction, he flew past the airstrip. Due to the low altitude, he elected to land in a field perpendicular to the airstrip. While approaching the field, the airplane collided with powerlines then the ground, and nosed over. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of a failure or malfunction of the power section. Examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Examination of the spark plugs were satisfactory but were wet with oil consistent with an inverted engine. The left magneto operated intermittently during postaccident bench testing. Disassembly of the left magneto revealed the point cam was worn, and the points exhibited erosion. Additionally, the coil tested out of limits; the condenser tested within specification.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,100 hours in all; 66 in this make and model; 128 in the last 90 days; 38 in the last 30 days; 1,000 as pilot in command; 700 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,550 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Dean International, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: X51 Homestead FL at 11:30 pm
- Destination: KTMB
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KTMB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.