# NTSB ATL90LA047: Morrisey 2150A, N5145V, Winston Salem, NC, December 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1989, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Winston Salem, NC
- Location: 36.0999° N, 80.2442° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Winston-Salem, NC, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0999&lon=-80.2442&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA047

## Probable cause

A BLOCKED FUEL VENT LINE, WHICH PREVENTED NORMAL FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER LOSS. HIS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE FAILED & THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. A WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT FUEL VENT WAS BLOCKED, WHICH RESTRICTED AND TERMINATED THE GRAVITY FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THIS BLOCKAGE WAS LOCATED WITHIN THE WING STRUCTURE. THE PILOT WAS OPERATING FROM THE LEFT FUEL TANK WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5145V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5145V-1992-06-16), registration cancelled 1992-06-16, S/N SP41 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MORRISEY 2150A
- Registry model: [Morrisey 2150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/morrisey-2150a) (registry code 5940204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: SP-41
- Airframe hours: 1640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Neal A. Self
- Registered owner: Neala Self
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1989, 23 hours before
- Departed: WILKSBORO, NC
- Destination: TRINITY, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 223 total, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT

## 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 19891229054319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891229054319A), Dec 29, 1989: Varga 2150AMORISY, Winston Salem, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit at cruise. Struck trees and fence landing. Selected left tank. Fuel cap vent clogged.

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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