# NTSB ATL89LA162: Cessna 150M, N714SR, Knoxville, TN, June 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1989, 17:13 local (21:13 UTC)
- Place: Knoxville, TN
- Location: 35.9638° N, 83.8737° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KNOXVILLE DOWNTOWN ISLAND (DKX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9638&lon=-83.8737&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER AND THE DELAY IN PERFORMING REMEDIAL ACTION UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE ON THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - open (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - delayed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS MAKING A PRACTICE SOLO FLIGHT TO PREPARE FOR HER PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATION TEST THE FOLLOWING WEEK. AFTER AN ENGINE RUNUP WHICH RESULTED IN AN EXCESSIVE MAG DROP ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, SHE ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 26. SHE HAD USED UP ABOUT HALF OF THE 3,500 FT RWY BEFORE THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR FURNISHED A READING. THE READING DID NOT GET ABOVE 40 MPH DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN. THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND SHE DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY, 183 FEET FROM THE END. IT CONTINUED OVER THE GRASS SURFACE AND INTO THE RIVER/LAKE SURROUNDING THE AIRPORT. THE SKID MARKS FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE MAIN WHEEL BRAKES BEGAN 215 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE THROTTLE WAS FOUND IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE EXHAUST VALVE FOR THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER WAS FOUND STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. INSPECTION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE WAS 10 HOURS PAST DUE OF IT'S 100 HOUR INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N714SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714SR-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 15079402, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15079402
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: L. J. Morse
- Registered owner: Marty Bass
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: DKX
- Destination: DKX
- Airport: DKX, Downtown Island, runway 26, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 20 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 10 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 19890617021909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890617021909A), Jun 17, 1989: Cessna 150M, Knoxville, TN, Substantial damage. Unable to accelerate, tried to abort at end runway. Locked brakes, skidded into river. Had a stuck exhaust valve.

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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