Cessna 150 N1193Y accident near Matthews, North Carolina

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper decision to conduct a solo flight without an endorsement to do so and to perform an off-airport landing based on a perceived performance issue with the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of training and overall experience.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot was conducting a local, solo flight. He reported that all ground operations were normal and that no water was found in the fuel during the preflight inspection. He took off with full tanks of fuel. About 40 minutes into the flight and about 1,800 ft mean sea level, he noticed that the airplane was "sluggish" and would not "maintain lift," but all engine indications were normal, and he noted no sputtering or hesitation. The pilot applied carburetor heat, and the engine speed dropped by about 300 rpm. Because the airplane continued to fly sluggishly, the pilot turned off the carburetor heat and then decided to conduct a forced landing in a grass field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane during the flight and that the engine could produce 2,750 rpm (the maximum-rated rpm) at full power. He added that the high ambient temperature of 100°F and the full fuel load may have contributed to the airplane's sluggishness.

A review of the student's logbook revealed that he had received only 3.1 hours of dual instruction and 15 hours of solo flight experience and that he did not have an instructor's endorsement to fly solo. The student's lack of training and experience likely contributed to his perception that there was a performance problem with the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA18LA202 for the full record.