# NTSB CEN14LA200: Cessna O 1E, N50WP, Fredericksburg, TX, April 16, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 2014, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, TX - Coordinates: 30.219444, -99.14083 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2194&lon=-99.1408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89071/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89071 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA200 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies. ## 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 O-1E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2074018), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna O-1E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2074018), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna O-1E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2074018), [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 O-1E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2074018), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he was providing instruction to a pilot in the tandem-seat airplane. He reported that, immediately after the pilot receiving instruction turned the airplane from the downwind to the base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power. He took control of the airplane and called for the magnetos and boost pump to be turned on as he switched fuel tanks. He was unable to find a suitable landing area, so he attempted a landing to a small field. During the landing and while he was attempting to avoid a tree at the end of the field, the airplane struck a cattle pen. Examination of the engine revealed no preimpact anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 16, 2014, about 1030 central daylight time, a Cessna O-1E airplane, N50WP, sustained substantial damage when it struck a fence during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Fredericksburg, Texas. The pilot and instructor pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was registered to an individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Silver Wings Airport (TS36), Fredericksburg, Texas, at an unconfirmed time. The flight instructor reported that he was providing instruction to an 82 year old pilot in the airplane when the accident occurred. The instructor was seated in the rear seat and the instructed pilot was in the front. The instructor noted that from the rear seat, there is no view of the gauges except for the flap indicator that was located at the top right edge of the instrument panel. He stated the instructed pilot entered a right downwind for runway 17 at TS36, and the flaps were extended to about 20 degrees. Just prior to turning onto a base leg, the engine abruptly "failed". The instructor called for the magnetos and boost pumps "on" and took control of the airplane. He switched fuel tanks although both were full, and looked for a suitable area to make an off-airport landing to no avail. He executed a landing to a small field that had a large oak tree at the end. During the landing the instructor attempted to avoid the tree and the airplane struck a cattle pen. He noted that after the accident he could see that the magneto switch was in the "off" position. The instructed pilot reported that he was receiving a checkout in the accident airplane. He stated that stop and go landings were being performed at the Gillespie County Airport (T82), Fredericksburg, Texas. After several landings were performed at T82, a decision was made to fly to TS36 for further practice due to more favorable wind conditions. He reported that they entered a right downwind for runway 17. Immediately after turning on a right base leg, the engine stopped producing power and the instructor assumed control of the airplane. He stated that during the forced landing, the airplane struck the corner post of a cattle pen. An examination of the engine was conducted by a representative of the engine manufacturer with oversight provided by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. The examination did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50WP), registered now, S/N 61-2970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA O 1E (E) - Registry model: [Cessna O-1E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-o-1e) (registry code 2074018) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 61-2970 - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TS36, Fredericksburg, TX - Destination: TS36, Fredericksburg, TX - Airport: TS36, Silver Wings ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front - Flight instructor; age 62; injuries: serious; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 14 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KT82, 12 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 20140416009939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140416009939A), Apr 16, 2014: Cessna O-1E, Fredericksburg, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot and student pilot were entering airport pattern to practice touch and go training. Instructor pilot reported normal flight on downwind leg. Turning onto… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 3, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89071. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 586 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Instructor's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Instructor%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Continental Motors Field Inspection Report (item 3, .PDF, 67 photos, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436357&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continental%20Motors%20Field%20Inspection%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436358&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.