# NTSB BFO87LA014: Cessna 150L, N18140, Ellicott City, MD, January 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1987, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Ellicott City, MD
- Coordinates: 39.259906, -76.799629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2599&lon=-76.7996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER THE PILOT DEPARTED HAYES FIELD, COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE FIELD. AFTER ENTERING DOWNWIND THE ENGINE CEASED TO CONTINUE PRODUCING POWER AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. IN A STATEMENT FILLED OUT BY THE PILOT SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT THERE IS NO MENTION OF USING CARBURETOR HEAT AT ANY TIME DURING THE FLIGHT. THE BUTTERFLY VALVE IN THE CARBURETOR HEAT BOX WAS FOUND BENT IN THE COLD POSITION. CONDITIONS DURING THE FLIGHT WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18140](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18140), registered now, S/N 15073815, built 1972 (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: 15073815
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flite-Rentals, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 22, 1986, 14 hours before
- Departed: MD24, ELLICOTT CITY, MD
- Airport: MD24, Hays Field, runway 31, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 63 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 13 nm away

## Other investigations on N18140 (1)

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 IAD74DHD26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74DHD26), Jan 22, 1974: Cessna 150 (N18140), Cheswold, DE, 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.

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