Cessna 150H N7260S

Summary

On 27 June 1996 at about 19:42 local time, a Cessna 150H registered N7260S, operated by Transair, was involved in an accident near San Carlos, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 June 1996 at 19:42

Classification

Accident

Location

San Carlos, California, United States

Nearest airport

San Carlos (SQL)

Coordinates

37.4903, -122.2608

Aircraft

Cessna 150H

Registration

N7260S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Transair

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX96LA248

2 people had minor injuries.

The failure of the flaps to retract due to the installation of an incorrect fuse and the inadequate maintenance/inspections performed on the system; and the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The CFI stated that on the fifth touch and go the student landed, moved the flap selector to the up position, then added full power to takeoff. The student rotated and lifted off from the 2,600-foot-long runway just as the CFI realized that the flaps had not retracted. The flaps did not respond to repeated movement of the selector handle. At this point, the aircraft had passed the end of the runway and would not climb as the airspeed began to decay. The instructor said he attempted to land the aircraft in a clear area straight ahead; however, touched down hard and collapsed the nose gear. A ground witness observed the takeoff attempt of the aircraft and reported that after gaining about 100 feet of altitude it seemed to began losing altitude. The witness saw the flaps in the full down position and noted that the aircraft seemed to be slowing down and losing altitude at a more rapid rate. He said the aircraft nose rose, then the aircraft stalled and descended nose down to ground impact. Examination by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the flaps were in the full down position. The flap system fuse in the cockpit was a 20 amp fast blow fuse and was found burned out. The parts manual specifies a 15 amp slow blow fuse. Corrosion deposits were found on the fuse and the fuse holder. No other discrepancies were found with the flap system. The fuse was replaced and the system functioned satisfactorily. An annual inspection was completed 1 month and 27 hours prior to the accident. The maintenance manual specifies that all fuses must be checked during each 50-hour and annual inspection. Cessna reported that during certification flight testing the Cessna 150H demonstrated the capability for a positive climb gradient of 175 feet per minute with full flaps at sea level on a standard day.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.