# NTSB ANC92LA103: Cessna 150, N61272, Palmer, AK, July 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1992, 18:30 local (Jul 13, 1992, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.619972, -148.979232 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6200&lon=-148.9792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALLING OF THE AIRPLANE AND AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE IN WHICH HE COULD RECOVER.  FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WATER IN THE FUEL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAKING THE AIRPLANE TO MEL WICK'S AIRSTRIP TO RECEIVE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. WITNESSES STATED THEY SAW THE AIRPLANE MAKE LOW PASSES DOWN THE AIRSTRIP AND HEARD A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS A TEASPOON OF WATER FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61272](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61272-2005-02-17), registration cancelled 2005-02-17, S/N 15070933, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070933
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph E. Eller
- Registered owner: Donald Eller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1900
- Departed: Z16, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 153 total, 134 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAQ, 18 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920712025059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920712025059A), Jul 12, 1992: Cessna STC150, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Observed making low passes and steep turns over private strip. Crashed into trees. Found water in fuel.

## Other investigations on N61272 (3)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC94LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA118), Aug 22, 1994: Cessna 150J (N61272), Talkeentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE UNSUITABLE TAKEOFF AREA SELECTED. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT SPOT IN THE AIRSTRIP'S SURFACE.
- [NTSB ANC90FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA046), Mar 29, 1990: Cessna 150 (N61272), Birchwood, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, UNFAVORABLE WIND, AND THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.
- [NTSB ANC75DAD05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75DAD05), May 15, 1975: Cessna 150J (N61272), Juneau, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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