# NTSB CEN14CA515: Cessna 150J, N50889, Brookfield, WI, September 22, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 22, 2014, 05:08 local (10:08 UTC) - Place: Brookfield, WI - Coordinates: 43.090278, -88.178054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0903&lon=-88.1781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Continental Motors Inc, Textron Aviation, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA515 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90135/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90135 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA515 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate maintenance and preflight of the airplane which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not installed/available (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Maintenance/inspections](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2071820), [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 maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during an enroute climb to cruise. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field where the airplane struck trees and sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that he forgot to add engine oil during an oil change he performed on the airplane before the accident flight. He said he forgot to add the oil because he was rushed and had personal activities to perform. Examination of the airplane confirmed engine oil starvation. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no other mechanical anomalies that would have precluded airplane operation. The pilot held a private pilot certificate and a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings. ## Factual narrative The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during an enroute climb to cruise. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field where the airplane struck trees and sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that he forgot to add engine oil during an oil change he performed on the airplane before the accident flight. He said he forgot to add the oil because he was rushed and had personal activities to perform. Examination of the airplane confirmed engine oil starvation. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no other mechanical anomalies that would have precluded airplane operation. The pilot held a private pilot certificate and a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50889](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50889-2018-02-01), registration cancelled 2018-02-01, S/N 15069621, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069621 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 2874 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 2013 - Departed: 02C, Brookfield, WI - Destination: 02C, Brookfield, WI - Airport: 02C, Capitol Airport, runway 3, 3,010 × 44 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2013; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 1,054 total, 1,048 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Observed at: UES, 5 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 20140922016349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140922016349A), Sep 22, 2014: Cessna 150J, Lannon, WI, Destroyed. On September 22, 2014 at 11:08 cdst the pilot of a Cessna, 150J, N50889, impacted the trees near the bug line bicycle path in the town of Lannon, Wisconsin due… ## Other investigations on N50889 (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 CHI70FBM13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70FBM13), Apr 5, 1970: Cessna 150J (N50889), Gary, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 12, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90135. 559 KB in all. - Email of NTSB Accident Report Form to Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420857&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20of%20NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20Form%20to%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420858&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Forms (item 3, .PDF, 394 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Forms-Redacted.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.