20000228012609A

(-23) Local VFR flight from mor to gkt. Enroute the engine began to run rough, and stopped several times. Pilot was able to restart but in the process he continued to lose altitude then the engine lost power again and did no t have enough altitude to attempt a restart. Made an off airport landing in a grove of trees. (.4) on February 28, 2000, about 1750 central standard time, a Cessna 150H, N6753S, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, crashed in Dandridge, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane incurred substantial damage, and the student pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated in morristown, Tennessee, the same day, about 1730. The student pilot stated that he was en route to sevierville, Tennessee, and the airplane's engine had been operating roughly, and had sputtered a few times. The student further stated that because of the engine problems he was having, he decided to land the airplane at his private landing strip, where he could have his mechanic work on the engine. As he was maneuvering to la ND, he said the engine sputtered again, so he pulled the primer out and pushed it back in and it ran a little, but knew he was not going to make it to the landing strip, so he committed himself to landing in the trees. He said he stalled the airplane at treetop level, putting it into the trees, empennage first. The empennage separated from the remainder of the airplane, and the airplane fell nose first, and came to rest at the base of the trees. The student said he then disconnected his seatbelt, exited the airplane, and walked to the road for help. Postcrash examination of the aircraft by FAA inspectors revealed that the fuel in the gascolator was cloudy, orange in color, and contained a small amount of water. The inspectors further stated that they also found corrosion, as well as sediment that appeared to be fuel tank sealant, in the gascolator bowl. In addition, they said that when they removed the fuselage fuel drain, almost pure water came out of the drain. FAA records indicate that the student held a student pilot certificate that was issued on August 18, 1997. The student did not produce any records to indicate that he had current training endorsements at the time of the accident. The NTSB did not receive an NTSB pilot/operator aircraft accident report from the pilot.