Probable cause
The pilot's delayed decision to go around, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the approach and just before landing, he aborted the landing because he felt that the airplane was too high above the runway to land safely. As he configured the airplane to go around, the airplane flew about 150 ft beyond the runway, and the right wing struck treetops and then impacted terrain. The pilot added that quicker power application and flap configuration would have prevented the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA363 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 20, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Elkader, Iowa
- Nearest airport
- Elkader (I27)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 150
- N-number
- N6471F
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1966
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.