# NTSB ATL94LA026: Cessna 150, N4092J, Griffin, GA, December 4, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 4, 1993, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Griffin, GA - Coordinates: 33.289642, -84.280853 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2896&lon=-84.2809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3331 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3331/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA026 ## Probable cause FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY FOREIGN MATTER BLOCKAGE OF THE FUEL TANK VENT SYSTEM. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause) - fuel system - starvation - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE FOR A 45 DEGREE ENTRY INTO THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AFTER AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE PILOT SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. ON LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY SWERVED AND HIT A TREE WITH THE LEFT WING TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A HOUSE AT THE END OF THE FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANK VENT SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY AN INSECT NEST INSIDE THE VENT. ## Factual narrative On December 4, 1993, at 1045 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N4092J was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain near Griffin, Georgia. Neither the flight instructor nor the student pilot were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, instructional flight. The flight departed Griffin, Georgia, at about 0930. The pilot stated that while maneuvering for a 45 degree entry into the traffic pattern, the engine lost power and that attempts to restart the airplane engine were unsuccessful. The pilot then force landed the airplane in an open field and intentionally swerved and struck the left wing on a tree to avoid colliding with a house at the end of the field. Post accident investigation of the airplane revealed that the fuel tank vent was completely blocked by a dirt dobber nest. The nest was located at the first 90 degree bend of the vent approximately 3 inches from the end of the vent. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failure and the engine was successfully run after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4092J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4092J-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 15065392, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 150-65392 - Airframe hours: 5045 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Thrasher, Albert A. - Registered owner: Quicktrip Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1993, 55 hours before - Airport: 6A2, Griffin-Spalding County, runway 13, 3,301 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,969 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 14 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ATL, 25 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 19931204046019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931204046019A), Dec 4, 1993: Cessna 150G, Griffin, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit entering pattern. Struck tree to miss house on forced landing. Dirt dobber blocked fuel vent elbow. ## Other investigations on N4092J (2) 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 FTW73DRD31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DRD31), May 22, 1973: Cessna 150G (N4092J), Lockport, LA, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA70F0077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70F0077), Jul 29, 1969: Cessna 150G (N4092J), Gulfport, MS, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.