# NTSB CEN12LA388: Cessna A150K, N8380M, Mamou, LA, June 23, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2012, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Mamou, LA - Coordinates: 30.6975, -92.413887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6975&lon=-92.4139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Baton Rouge FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84068 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA388 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84068/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84068 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA388 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2071824), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2071824), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna A150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2071824), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071824), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna A150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071824), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna A150K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071824), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine experienced a partial loss of engine power after encountering turbulence during cruise flight. He noted that the engine continued to operate smoothly at idle speed, but was minimally responsive to multiple throttle movements. Specifically, a full application of the throttle would result in a momentary increase of engine power before the engine went back to idle speed. The pilot applied carburetor heat, which had no observed effect on engine operation. He made a forced landing in a rice field, during which the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the carburetor and gascolator bowls revealed evidence of water and particulate contamination. The wing fuel tanks also contained water contamination. Additionally, an examination of the pilot's refueling container, located on his private airstrip, revealed water and particulate contamination. The filter assembly installed on the refueling container was also contaminated with particulate debris. The contamination in the fuel system, which should have been detected during a routine preflight inspection, likely resulted in the partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2012, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna model A150K airplane, N8380M, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Mamou, Louisiana. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The local area flight departed the pilot's private airstrip near Mamou, Louisiana, about 1730. The pilot reported that the engine experienced a partial loss of engine power after encountering a momentary period of turbulence during cruise flight. He noted that the engine continued to operate smoothly at idle speed, but the engine was minimally responsive to multiple throttle movements. Specifically, a full application of the throttle would result in about 2,100 rpm for about 2-3 seconds before the engine went back to an idle speed. He subsequently engaged carburetor heat, which had no observed effect on engine operation. He proceeded to make a forced landing in a rice field, during which the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were substantially damaged during the accident. The engine, a Continental model O-200-A, serial number 199309-9-A, had accumulated 258.5 hours since its last major overhaul. A postaccident examination was completed by inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration. The examination confirmed internal engine and valve train continuity as the engine crankshaft was rotated. Compression and suction were noted on all cylinders in conjunction with crankshaft rotation. The magnetos were adequately secured to the accessory section and provided spark as the engine crankshaft was rotated. The upper spark plugs were removed and exhibited features consistent with normal engine operation. There were no obstructions of the flexible induction tubing from the air filter housing to the carburetor. Mechanical continuity was confirmed from the cockpit engine controls to their respective engine components. The movement of the carburetor heat control confirmed continuity to the heat-box assembly. Examination of the carburetor and gascolator bowls revealed evidence of water and particulate contamination. The wing fuel tanks also contained water contamination. Additionally, an examination of the pilot/owner's refueling container, located on his private airstrip, revealed water and particulate contamination. The filter assembly installed on the refueling container was also contaminated with particulate debris. The closest weather observing station was at Allen Parish Airport (KACP), located about 15 miles northwest of the accident site. At 1815, the KACP automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: calm wind; visibility 10 miles; clear skies; temperature 35 degrees Celsius; dew point 17 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.83 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8380M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8380M-2013-08-29), registration cancelled 2013-08-29, S/N A15000080, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A150K - Registry model: [Cessna A150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150k) (registry code 2071824) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A15000080 - Airframe hours: 4989 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kyle B. Spears - Registered owner: Kyle B. Spears - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 2011 - Departed: PVT, Mamou, LA - Destination: PVT, Mamou, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 14,727 total, 109 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 300 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KACP, 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 20120623012049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120623012049A), Jun 23, 2012: Cessna A150K, Mamou, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft experienced engine problems. Engine became idle and when landing aircraft rolled over in rice field sustaining damage to its vertical fin. There was… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84068. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 633 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Email Correspondence With FAA Concerning Engine Examination (item 3, .PDF, 294 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20Correspondence%20With%20FAA%20Concerning%20Engine%20Examination-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.