# NTSB BFO90LA038: Cessna 150G, N8689J, Clinton, MD, April 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1990, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Clinton, MD
- Coordinates: 38.760219, -76.889472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7602&lon=-76.8895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA038

## Probable cause

PILOT FACTOR IN THAT HE IMPROPERLY USED THE ENGINE CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - mixture - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT PLT, HE WAS ON DOWNWIND LEG, ABEAM OF THE RWY THRESHOLD, WHEN HE REDUCED POWER, LOWERED FLAPS 20 DEGS, AND PULLED THE CARB HT ON. AS HE TURNED TO BASE LEG, THE ENGINE SLOWED AND STOPPED. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A GRAVEL PIT, WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING ROLLOUT. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE MIXTURE CONTROL INSTEAD OF THE CARB AT CONTROL, WAS PULLED BACK TO THE OFF POSITION. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND IT OPERATED SATISFACTORILY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8689J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8689J-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 15066589, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- 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: 15066589
- Airframe hours: 4361
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Beacon Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 1990, 91 hours before
- Airport: W32, Hyde Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: DCA

## 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 19900423014219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900423014219A), Apr 23, 1990: Cessna 150G, Clinton, MD, Substantial damage. Turning base lost power. Landed in gravel pit. Nosed over. Had pulled mixture control instead of carb heat control.

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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