# NTSB CEN09CA092: Cessna 150, N1521Q, Auxvasse, MO, December 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 5, 2008, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Auxvasse, MO - Coordinates: 38.838054, -92.002502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8381&lon=-92.0025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69573 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69573/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA092 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper engine recovery procedures after a power-off stall which resulted in a loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper off-field landing procedures, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure; cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed the local airport with intent of practicing traffic pattern work and basic flight maneuvers. After 3 touch and go maneuvers, the pilot departed the traffic pattern and flew the airplane to the designated practice area. After performing a couple 360-degrees turns and slow flight, the pilot attempted a power-off stall. In order to prepare for the power-off stall, the pilot retarded the throttle and applied the carburetor heat. During the recovery of the power-off stall, the pilot "rapidly" applied engine power, closed the carburetor heat, and the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, however, the restart was unsuccessful. The pilot elected to perform an emergency off-airport landing. During the forced landing to a field, the pilot landed the airplane in a downwind direction and was high on the final approach. The pilot stated that he should have slipped the airplane during the approach which would have allowed for "use of more of the chosen field...a longer flare and a lighter touchdown at a lower airspeed." The airplane impact crops and terrain and came to rest on its nose. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was buckled. According to a designated pilot examiner, the rapid throttle application can result in engine flooding and subsequent engine failure. ## Factual narrative The pilot departed the local airport with intent of practicing traffic pattern work and basic flight maneuvers. After 3 touch and go maneuvers, the pilot departed the traffic pattern and flew the airplane to the designated practice area. After performing a couple 360-degrees turns and slow flight, the pilot attempted a power-off stall. In order to prepare for the power-off stall, the pilot retarded the throttle and applied the carburetor heat. During the recovery of the power-off stall, the pilot "rapidly" applied engine power, closed the carburetor heat, and the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, however, the restart was unsuccessful. The pilot elected to perform an emergency off-airport landing. During the forced landing to a field, the pilot landed the airplane in a downwind direction and was high on the final approach. The pilot stated that he should have slipped the airplane during the approach which would have allowed for "use of more of the chosen field...a longer flare and a lighter touchdown at a lower airspeed." The airplane impact crops and terrain and came to rest on its nose. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was buckled. According to a designated pilot examiner, the rapid throttle application can result in engine flooding and subsequent engine failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1521Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1521Q-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 15072821, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (L) - 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: 15072821 - Airframe hours: 9262 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O200 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: David S. Hollabaugh - Registered owner: Fulton Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2008 - Departed: FTT, Fulton, MO - Destination: FTT, Fulton, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 92 total, 33 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 10 °F - Observed at: COU, 19 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 20081205852279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081205852279A), Dec 5, 2008: Cessna 150L, Auxvasse, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) According to PIC, he was in the local practice area performing slow flight using 30 degrees of flaps with power set at 1,900 RPM. He then retarded the… 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.