# NTSB CEN09CA121: Cessna 150M, N899CB, Greene, IA, December 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 31, 2008, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Greene, IA - Coordinates: 42.741943, -92.508056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7419&lon=-92.5081&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 73202 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73202/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA121 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the rough, snow-covered terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The recently certificated private pilot reduced the engine power setting and descended to an altitude of 800 to 1,000 feet above the ground so the passenger could take aerial photographs of a farm house. The pilot stated that he had the power setting pulled back approximately halfway while they were circling and that the engine seized when he attempted to apply full power to gain altitude. The airplane landed hard during the off-airport forced landing on a snow-covered farm field. The airplane sustained firewall damage when the nose gear collapsed following a 75-foot-long landing roll. The pilot stated that he did not use carburetor heat while circling. Postaccident inspection revealed the engine turned freely when rotated by hand and when the ignition was engaged. Examination of the spark plugs revealed they were black in color from soot. ## Factual narrative The recently certificated private pilot reported that during the flight he reduced the engine power setting and descended to an altitude of 800 to 1,000 feet above the ground so the passenger could take aerial photographs of a farm house. During a telephone interview the pilot stated that he had the power setting pulled back approximately "half way" while they were circling the farm. The pilot reported the engine seized when he attempted to apply full power to gain altitude. The airplane landed hard during an off-airport forced landing on a snow covered farm field. The airplane sustained firewall damage when the nose gear collapsed following a 75-foot-long landing roll. The pilot stated that he did not use carburetor heat while circling. Post accident inspection revealed the engine turned freely when rotated by hand and when the ignition was engaged. Examination of the spark plugs revealed they were black in color from soot. The pilot had a total of 61 hours of flight time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N899CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N899CB-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N 15076699, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15076699 - Airframe hours: 6098 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kevin E. Brown - Registered owner: Cedar Valley Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 2008, 2 hours before - Departed: C25, Waverly, IA - Destination: C25, Waverly, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 61 total, 53 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 9 °F, dew point -2 °F - Observed at: ALO, 28 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 20081231854389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081231854389A), Dec 31, 2008: Cessna 150M, Greene, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported he was maneuvering at 800-1000 ft AGL at a reduced power setting with the carb heat off. The ambient temperature was approximately 12F/11C. 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.