# NTSB ATL97LA040: Cessna 150F, N6679F, Winter Haven, FL, February 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 9, 1997, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL - Location: 28.0512° N, 81.7630° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from WINTER HAVEN RGNL (GIF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0512&lon=-81.7630&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3822 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3822/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA040 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadvertent movement of the mixture control to idle cut-off during the approach to land, which resulted in engine shut-down, and the student's failure to follow emergency procedures for restarting the engine. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - engine shutdown - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The student pilot was on his second solo flight, after having flown a dual flight with his instructor. While downwind on a second approach for landing, the student noted the airplane seemed to be performing differently. After turning final, the student noticed he was 'somewhat low for usual or desired glide path.' After advancing the throttle and getting no response, he realized he would not reach the runway, and decided to land in a nearby lake. A subsequent examination of the airplane showed that the carburetor heat was in the cold position and that the mixture control was in the idle cut-off position. ## Factual narrative On February 9, 1997, about 1115 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150F, N6679F, collided with a lake during final landing approach to the Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport, Winter Haven, Florida. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the solo, instructional flight. There were no injuries to the student pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Winter Haven, about 1100, on the same day. According to the operator, the student pilot had flown a dual flight on the previous day. He then flew another dual flight on the morning of the accident, and was sent out for his second solo flight. After one circuit in the landing pattern, while on the second landing approach of the solo flight, the engine did not respond to increased throttle movement. The student pilot stated he "noticed some difference in the craft on left base leg of runway 4." When he turned final for runway 4, he noticed that he was "somewhat low for usual or desired glide path and began applying power. The craft did not respond." The pilot then stated he applied full power, and the airplane still did not respond to the power. At this point, the student stated he realized he would not make the runway and ditched the airplane in a lake. The airplane nosed over in the water. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and found damage to the lower cowling, the right wing, and the right aileron. He also noted that the throttle was in the full open position, properly connected, and operating normally. The mixture control was found in the idle-cutoff position, properly connected, and operating normally. Also, the carburetor heat was found in the cold position, properly connected, and operating normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6679F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6679F-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 15063279, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15063279 - Airframe hours: 2989 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Tony Conti - Registered owner: Tom Mcghee Aircraft, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 20, 1996, 99 hours before - Departed: GIF - Airport: GIF, Gilbert, runway 4, 5,006 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GIF, 1 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 19970209001409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970209001409A), Feb 9, 1997: Cessna 150F, Winter Haven, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power turning base. Unable make runway. Ditched in lake. Nose over. Had pulled mixture instead of carb heat. ## Other investigations on N6679F (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 MIA99LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA021), Oct 31, 1998: Cessna 150F (N6679F), Winter Haven, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing and ground loop. - [NTSB MIA96LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA104), Mar 24, 1996: Cessna 150F (N6679F), Ocala, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind during the landing flare. - [NTSB MIA72DLG31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72DLG31), Mar 15, 1972: Cessna 150 (N6679F), Pelzer, SC, 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.