Cessna 150F, N7893F: Accident occurred July 24, 2021 near Whiteside County Airport (KSQI), Rock Falls, Illinois

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Plaines, Illinois

Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas

https://registry.faa.gov/N7893F

Location: Rock Falls, IL

Accident Number: CEN21LA335

Date & Time: July 24, 2021, 18:30 Local

Registration: N7893F

Aircraft: Cessna 150F 

Injuries: 2 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On July 24, 2021, about 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N7893F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rock Falls, Illinois. The two pilots were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to one of the pilots, the two pilots met each other at an aviation event just prior to the accident flight. After a short discussion, the two pilots decided to conduct a local flight in the accident airplane. The pilot and owner, who was seated in the left seat, reported the airplane’s engine needed to be hand-propped due to a “weak starter.” After the engine start-up, the pilots monitored the airplane’s electrical system and performed an engine run-up with no issues noted.

While on downwind after takeoff, the right seat pilot asked to take the airplane’s controls from the left seat pilot, and a positive exchange of controls was accomplished. The pilot then flew a low approach over a temporary grass runway with 40° of flaps extended. The pilot did not intend to land and performed a go-around about 100 ft above the ground with full engine power and carburetor heat in the off position. The pilot then attempted to retract the flaps, and he reported the flaps would not retract. The left seat pilot attempted to cycle the flap switch and was unsuccessful in retracting the flaps. Unable to maintain altitude, the right seat pilot performed an off-airport landing to a corn field. The airplane impacted the corn field, flipped over, and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall and engine mount. The airplane and engine were recovered and will be examined.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna

Registration: N7893F

Model/Series: 150F

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: No

Operator: On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KSQI,647 ft msl 

Observation Time: 17:56 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C /25°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / , 290°

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 29.85 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Rock Falls, IL 

Destination: Rock Falls, IL

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 41.739882,-89.681476