Cessna 150 N22979 accident near Rimrock, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during a flight in dark night conditions, and with an unreliable airspeed indicator, he flew the airplane in reference to engine rpm and the vertical speed indicator. Upon reaching his destination airport he activated the airport-controlled lighting, and while preparing to land, and sensing that he was high on final approach, he selected full flaps and reduced power. Upon reaching the runway threshold and feeling that he was at the proper height above the surface, he reduced the power to idle. Then, as he flew past “the numbers” he increased pitch, flared slightly too early and struck the runway surface firmly and too fast. The airplane subsequently bounced, returned to the runway, then veered rapidly to the right and off the side of the runway about 800 ft beyond the threshold before coming to a stop upright. Both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA005 for the full record.