# NTSB ATL98LA033: Cessna 150L, N7443G, Guntersville, AL, January 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 17, 1998, 18:50 local (Jan 18, 1998, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Guntersville, AL - Coordinates: 34.349807, -86.269706 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3498&lon=-86.2697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3961/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA033 ## Probable cause The pilot's intentional shut down of the engine in flight that resulted in the total loss of engine power. A factor was the failure of both magnetos. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - engine shutdown - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - ignition system,magneto - failure (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, emergency landing ## Analysis The passenger stated that he was in the left front seat and reported that he was flying the airplane when the pilot shut the engine down as a simulated engine out. The airplane was about a mile south of the airport when the practice emergency was attempted. After the total loss of engine power, the pilot attempted to restart the engine. When the engine failed to restart, the pilot took the flight controls and elected to ditch the airplane in the river. The left magneto was removed from the engine assembly and bench checked at an approved FAA repair station. The bench check disclosed that the left magneto produced ignition sparks from each ignition lead. After several failed attempts to start the engine, the left magneto was removed again. The second examination disclosed that the secondary side of the magneto coil was inoperative. The magneto coil was replaced with a serviceable component. The engine operated normally after the left magneto was installed. Examination of the right magneto disclosed that the secondary coil was also inoperative. ## Factual narrative On January 17, 1998, at 1850 central standard time, a Cessna 150L, N7443G, ditched in the Tennessee River following a total loss of engine power near Guntersville, Alabama. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was located on January 21, 1998. The private pilot was fatally injured during the attempted swim to safety. The passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed Albertville, Alabama, at 1800 CST. The passenger told an FAA Safety Inspector that the airplane was topped off with fuel before he and the pilot departed Albertville Airport, in Albertville, Alabama. The passenger also stated that he conducted the preflight inspection and did not observe a problem with the airplane. The passenger stated that he was in the left front seat and the pilot was in the right front seat. The passenger also reported that he was flying the airplane when the pilot shut the engine down as a simulated engine out. The airplane was about a mile south of the airport when the practice emergency was attempted. According to the passenger, after the total loss of engine power, the pilot attempted to restart the engine. When the engine failed to restart, the pilot took the flight controls and elected to ditch the airplane in the river. After the relatively smooth touchdown, the airplane floated and both occupants exited the airplane. The passenger said they climbed on top of the airplane and decided to swim to a nearby bridge. The passenger lost contact with the pilot during the swim. The pilot never reached safety and was recovered from the river several weeks later. The airplane was recovered from the water several weeks after the accident; the engine assembly was preserved until it was examined later. During the engine examination, the carburetor displayed evidence of water. The left magneto was removed from the engine assembly and bench checked at an approved FAA repair station. The bench check disclosed that the left magneto produced ignition sparks from each ignition lead. The carburetor was subsequently removed and replaced with a serviceable component. After several failed attempts to start the engine, the left magneto was removed again and returned to the repair station, where a complete internal examination was completed. During this phase of the examination, the secondary side of the magneto coil was inoperative. The magneto coil was replaced with a serviceable component. The engine operated normally after the left magneto was installed. Examination of the right magneto disclosed that the secondary coil was also inoperative. According to Dr. David P. Millet, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Southern Regional Flight Surgeon, the pilot's medical certificate was denied on January 14, 1998, because of his failure to provid requested information based on his medical examination of July 25, 1997. The autopsy on the pilot was conducted by Dr. Stephen Pustilnik, on March 20, 1998, at the Cooper Greene Hosiptal in Birmingham, Alabama. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7443G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7443G-2012-07-09), registration cancelled 2012-07-09, S/N 15074657, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 150-74657 - Airframe hours: 4002 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vincent J. Henry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1997 - Departed: 8AO, ALBERTSVILLE, AL - Airport: 8A1, Guntersville Airport, runway 2, 3,360 × 95 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: invalid medical for flight; seat: right; flight hours: 370 total, 260 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HSV, 54 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 19980117000399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980117000399A), Jan 17, 1998: Cessna 150L, Guntersville, AL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (.4)On January 17, 1998, at 1850 central standard time, a Cessna 150L, N7443G, ditched in the Tennessee river following a total loss of engine power near… 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.