# NTSB CEN12LA255: Cessna 150H, N22857, Wildorado, TX, April 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 2012, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Wildorado, TX - Coordinates: 35.150051, -102.220039 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1501&lon=-102.2200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 83470 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83470/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83470 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA255 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## 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 150H, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis After takeoff, the pilot noted a decrease in engine rpm and a loss of power. The airplane began to lose altitude, and the pilot lowered the nose of the airplane and then reduced the engine power in order to perform a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over. The airplane's weight was about 200 pounds below its maximum gross weight, and the density altitude was about 5,400 feet. These factors would both reduce the performance of the airplane. The reported weather conditions were not conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power; the engine was operating at a high power setting for takeoff, indicating that carburetor ice was likely not the reason for the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2012, approximately 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H airplane, N22857, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Wildorado, Texas. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to the pilot, after takeoff, he noted a decrease in engine rpms and a loss of power. He added that the engine acted like it was "missing." Subsequently, the airplane started to settle or sink. The pilot was concerned about hitting the powerlines so he pushed the controls of the airplane forward to lower the nose and then reduced the power in order to perform a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, and left wing were bent. In a statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot indicated that the stall horn sounded just after liftoff and remained audible throughout the impact sequence. The pilot did not feel that there was anything mechanically wrong with the airplane but could not explain the loss of engine power. The FAA inspector reported that the airplane had plenty of fuel and that the fuel was free of contamination. The pilot estimated that the weight of the airplane at the time of the accident was 200 pounds below the maximum gross weight of the airplane. Calculations of relevant meteorological data revealed that the density altitude was 5,400 feet. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart, located in the FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated 6/30/2009, revealed that the airplane was operating in an area favorable for the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22857](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22857-2017-11-06), registration cancelled 2017-11-06, S/N 15068566, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15068566 - Airframe hours: 5766.8 - Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2011 - Departed: Wildorado, TX - Destination: Wildorado, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 575 total, 25 in this make and model, 575 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KAMA, 20 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 20120422005889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120422005889A), Apr 22, 2012: Cessna 150H, Wildorado, TX, Substantial damage. April 22, 2012, at 17:42 dst, N22857 attempted to take off from a short private strip located on the airmen's property with two soles onboard the aircraft.… ## Other investigations on N22857 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC71DFA63](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71DFA63), Jun 12, 1971: Cessna 150 (N22857), Duanesberg, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83470. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 2, .PDF, 169 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368071&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.