Cessna 150A N7235X accident near Coolidge, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s partially obscured vision due to sun glare.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that while attempting to land into the setting sun he had difficulty seeing the runway and the area ahead due to reduced visibility. As he approached the runway, he became aware that his altitude was lower than it should have been. He simultaneously noticed an orange ball that marked the presence of transmission lines. The pilot attempted to recover by applying power to climb and avoid the wires. Despite this corrective action, the aircraft struck one of the transmission lines. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over, struck the ground and cartwheeled into a ditch which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and wings.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA077 for the full record.