Cessna 150 accident near Marana, Arizona, November 9, 2025
On November 9, 2025 at about 6:05 pm local time, a 1960 Cessna 150, registered N6495T, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Marana, Arizona (Marana Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper starting procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with an airport fence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 9, 2025 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- Marana, Arizona · Marana Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150, built 1960 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N6495T · registry record · serial 17895
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after he had taxied to the runup area, he decided to shut down the engine and verify the fuel levels. Afterwards, he attempted to restart the engine and found that the battery was dead. He exited the airplane, chocked the left main landing gear, set the throttle and magneto switch before he hand propped the engine. . . After the engine started, he removed the chock from the left main landing gear and attempted to re-enter the airplane. As the pilot re-entered the airplane, the throttle lock loosened, and the airplane accelerated forward without the pilot in the airplane. The unoccupied airplane subsequently impacted an airport fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal 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
What happened, in order
- Ground handling event during standing (engine(s) start-up)
- Loss of control on ground during standing (engine(s) start-up) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Parking/securing › Tie › down/mooring › Not installed/available
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › (general) › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 510.8 hours in all; 477.1 in this make and model; 10.7 in the last 90 days; 7.6 in the last 30 days; 449 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 16, 2025
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,905.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 10, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200A (piston); 575 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CHD Chandler AZ at 4:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 am from KAVQ
Weather report (METAR): KAVQ 091755Z AUTO 09008KT 10SM CLR 25/01 A3015 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of accident airplane
Photograph 2 – View of bent and severed engine mount attached to nose gearThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 15, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.