20170723010029A

On July 23 at approximately 1715 central daylight time the Cessna 150F aircraft impacted lake d'arbonne during a descent and cartwheeled. Subsequent investigation revealed that all flight controls had continuity post crash, and flaps were up, indicated by measurement taken at the flap actuator. The engine and prop combination exhibited signs of producing power at the time of impact as evidenced by both propeller blades being bent forward, one greater than the other.

Witnesses to the event stated that the pilot had made several low passes over the lake prior to the crash in a Piper. One who knew the pilot stated that they received a phone call from the pilot during low passes in the Piper and that he was going back to switch aircraft. He hadn't taken the Cessna for earlier flights due to a dead battery which was on charge at the hanger. Once the pilot switched aircraft, he returned to the lake in the Cessna 150 and continued to make low passes with steep turns.

Just prior to the crash, two witnesses stated that they saw the aircraft attempt to pull up, and the engine sputter prior to descending to the surface of the lake. Both stated that it appeared that the pilot was "trying to land" on the lake. A third witness said that they saw the nose gear hit the water and then the left wing as the aircraft cartwheeled into the water.

Damage to the aircraft was as follows: the left main landing gear strut was separated from the aircraft and not recovered. The left wing was folded at approximately a 90 degree angle just outboard of the left flap. The engine and prop had separated from the aircraft and was recovered 20 to 25 yards prior to the main body of wreckage along the path of aircraft travel as described by the aircraft witnesses. The empennage was separated approximately one foot behind the passenger cabin and folded over wing. Upon FAA arrival at the scene, the aircraft was completely submerged with the exception of about a foot of lower empannage exposed above the water. Damage to the aircraft examined was consistent with the aircraft cartwheeling, impacting the left wing and nose first which appeared to absorb the bulk of the damage.

The pilot records indicated that required flight and medical qualifications were current. The aircraft annual inspection and registration were current. Cessna and Continental representatives party to the NTSB investigation were on scene and inspected both the aircraft and engine. The aircraft flight control continuity and airframe airworthiness were confirmed. The engine was disassembled and inspected in the field with no major discrepancies noted. Both magnetos produced spark normally, and the carberator appeared to be fuctioning normally.

The coroner who performed the autopsy stated that injuries sustained in the crash should have been survivable. Toxicology samples were taken by the coroner and sent to cami for analysis.

The nine areas if FAA responsibility were investigated with none found to be a contributing factor.