Cessna 150E accident near Marana, Arizona, February 27, 2021
On February 27, 2021 at about 6:16 pm local time, a 1964 Cessna 150E, registered N6135T, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Marana, Arizona (Marana Regional Airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 27, 2021 · about 6:16 pm local time
- Place
- Marana, Arizona · Marana Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150E, built 1964 · all 150Es on the register
- Registration
- N6135T · no longer on the register · serial 15060835
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After accomplishing a touch-and-go landing while in the traffic pattern at an altitude of about 1,300 ft above ground level, the airplane lost total engine power. The pilot was unable to restore power and made a forced landing in a field. When the nose gear was lowered during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The first postaccident test run of the engine revealed that it could run but not continuously. The engine’s carburetor was examined, and no anomalies were noted. During a second test run, the engine started uneventfully and ran for several minutes at various power settings. Examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. As a result, the investigation was unable to determine the cause of the total loss of engine power during the accident flight based on the available evidence for the investigation.
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 approach defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
- Off-field or emergency landing during approach
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine sea
- Flight time: 3,295 hours in all; 230 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 3,205 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 5, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,201.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 23, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor 0-200 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CHD Chandler AZ at 10:26 am
- Destination: AVQ Marana AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 10:45 am from RYN, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on February 27, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.