BFO94LA006

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150M · West Milford, NJ · November 11, 1993

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
November 11, 1993, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
Place
West Milford, NJ
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N3481VCessna 150M
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 2, 1994
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19931111042499A
Case key
8865

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason. A factor in this accident was the lack of suitable terrain to complete a forced landing.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerApproach - vfr pattern - final approach
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency
In flight collision with objectLanding - flare/touchdown
Terrain condition - none suitableFactor
Object - tree(s)

Analysis

The pilot was executing a visual flight rules approach when the airplane's engine lost power. He initiated a power off forced landing. Due to the lack of suitable terrain, the airplane collided with trees during the landing. The airplane's engine was removed for further examination. The engine was placed on a test stand and successfully started and it was found to be operational throughout all power settings. No reason for the loss of engine power was found.

Factual narrative

On Thursday, November 11, 1993, at about 1700 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N3481V, collided with trees during the termination of a forced landing. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power during approach. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was being operated by Glenn Larson of Bergenfield, New Jersey at the time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local area personal flight.

The pilot was interviewed by an FAA safety inspector after the accident. He said he was on final approach to Greenwood Lake Airport when the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot entered a power off forced landing. The airplane collided with trees during the forced landing. The engine was removed from the airplane and successfully ran. An examination of the engine did not reveal a reason for the loss of power.

Neither the pilot nor the operator provided a Pilot/Operator report after being requested to do so. Each were sent registered letters, but did not provide the required report.

Aircraft

Registration
N3481V
Reported as
Cessna 150M
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15076516
Engine
Continental O-200A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Glenn Larson
Registered owner
Glenn Larson
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
68
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
3,350 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
230° at 11 knots
Visibility
12 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
54 °F, dew point 25 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
TEB

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N3481V · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.