# NTSB BFO93LA088: Cessna 150L, N16224, Fairmont, WV, May 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1993, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairmont, WV
- Location: 39.4769° N, 80.1491° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fairmont, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4769&lon=-80.1491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA088

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOTS TO PROPERLY CLEAR THE ENGINE DURING THE APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wall/barricade (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) AND STUDENT WERE PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 22.  THE CFI SAID THE 1ST 3 LANDINGS WERE SUCCESSFULL, BUT DURING THE 3RD TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE STUDENT HAD ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO GET TOO FAR OUT AND TOO LOW.  THE CFI SAID THE STUDENT THEN ADDED TOO MUCH POWER AND TURNED ONTO FINAL APPROACH 'CLOSE TO TRAFFIC PATTERN ALTITUDE . . .' REPORTEDLY, POWER WAS REDUCED TO IDLE AND THE 'FINAL APPROACH TURNED IN TO BE A GLIDE.'  THE CFI STATED THAT CARBURETOR HEAT WAS USED DURING THE APPROACH.  DURING TAKEOFF, THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS SHUT OFF AND POWER WAS APPLIED.  HOWEVER, AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND TRIED TO RETURN ON RUNWAY 4, BUT DUE TO INADEQUATE ALTITUDE, HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTEMPT ANY RESTART PROCEDURES.  HE ELECTED TO LAND ON THE NORTHBOUND LANE OF INTERSTATE 79.  DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING AND STABILIZER STRUCK A GUARD RAIL AND WAS DAMAGED.  AN EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED 5.3 GAL OF AUTO FUEL AND NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16224](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16224-2000-08-30), registration cancelled 2000-08-30, S/N 15073556 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073556
- Airframe hours: 6388
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Marvin Franks
- Registered owner: Marvin Franks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1993, 60 hours before
- Departed: 4G7
- Destination: 4G7

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, foreign, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 864 total, 577 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 207 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGW, 15 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 19930515013839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930515013839A), May 15, 1993: Cessna 150L, Fairmont, WV, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout from touch and go. Hit guard rail landing on highway. Five gallons fuel on board, unusable.

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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