# NTSB CHI01LA147: Cessna 150H, N23033, Protem, MO, May 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 2001, 17:05 local (22:05 UTC) - Place: Protem, MO - Coordinates: 36.519649, -92.850784 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5196&lon=-92.8508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 6, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Kansas City, MO FSDO, Teledyne Continental Motors, Cessna Aircraft Company - NTSB case key (mKey): 53252 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53252/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA147 ## Probable cause The overload of the flap control cable for undetermined reasons resulting in aircraft control not being possible. The trees were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - flt control syst,wing flap control cable/rod - overload (cause) - aircraft control - not possible (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain after a loss of control while maneuvering. The pilot said that he and his passenger were flying near his house at 800 feet above ground level so that the passenger could photograph the residence. The pilot said that he reduced airspeed and lowered 10-15 degrees of flaps, keeping the airspeed at the upper end of the flap operating range. The pilot stated that he executed a turn to the left. The pilot stated that when he began the left turn, he heard a, "loud pop in the left wing." He said that the control yoke was, "jerked out of [his] hand to the full left stop." The pilot said that the airplane continued to roll to the left even with full right aileron input. He stated that he lowered the flaps in an effort to, "slow [the airplane] down a little and therefore lessen the impact. However, all this did was intensify the roll." The airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain. The flap control system was examined and a break in the flap control cable was observed. The broken flap cable and the right hand inboard pulley and bracket assembly were retained for further examination. No other anomalies were found. The broken flap cable, flap pulley, and pulley bracket were examined at the National Transportation Safety Board's Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C. The cable break contained signatures consistent with overstress failure. The pulley bracket had a crescent wear mark adjacent to but outside of the cotter pin intended to retain the cable in the pulley groove. The wear mark was covered with a black residue and its appearance was not fresh. No wear was observed on the cotter pin. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 27, 2001, at 1705 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N23033, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed while maneuvering near Protem, Missouri. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. The pilot received serious injuries. The one passenger was fatally injured. The local flight originated from the Boone Country Airport (HRO), Harrison, Arkansas about 1630. In a written statement, the pilot said that he and his passenger departed HRO at 1630 and flew to the Protem, Missouri area. He said that they were flying near his house at 800 feet above ground level so that the passenger could photograph the residence. The pilot said that he reduced airspeed and lowered 10-15 degrees of flaps, keeping the airspeed at the upper end of the flap operating range. The pilot stated that he executed a turn to the left. The pilot stated that when he began the left turn, he heard a, "loud pop in the left wing." He said that the control yoke was, "jerked out of [his] hand to the full left stop." The pilot said that the airplane continued to roll to the left even with full right aileron input. He stated that he lowered the flaps in an effort to, "slow [the airplane] down a little and therefore lessen the impact. However, all this did was intensify the roll." The airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land rating. He had accumulated a total of 182.4 hours total flight experience with 160.0 of those flight hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. He held a third class medical certificate issued on June 29, 2000. No limitations or waivers were listed on the medical certificate. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was a 1968 Cessna 150H, serial number 15068691. A 100 horsepower Continental O-200-A engine, serial number 199282-9-A, powered the airplane. The airplane had accumulated a total of 3797 hours at the time of the accident. A sticker was found in the rental time record book that listed the following: "Annual 3/01"; "100 Hr 3850"; "AD's due 3850"; "ELT due 8/01"; "Pitot static 2/01"; "Oil change due 3800". A review of the aircraft logbooks, which were not in the airplane, indicated the most recent annual inspection was performed on March 15, 2000. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane. The wreckage was contained to an area about 50 feet by 50 feet. The seats, seat stops, and seat belts remained attached and intact. There were no shoulder harnesses installed in the airplane. No anomalies were found with respect to the engine or fuel system that could be determined to have existed prior to the impact. No anomalies were found with respect to the aileron, rudder, or elevator control systems that could be determined to have existed prior to the impact. The flap actuator jackscrew was extended 5.95 inches. The flap position indicator was indicating full down. The flap control system was examined and a break in the flap control cable was observed. The broken flap cable and the right hand inboard pulley and bracket assembly were retained for further examination. TESTS AND RESEARCH The broken flap cable, flap pulley, and pulley bracket were examined at the National Transportation Safety Board's Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C. The cable break contained signatures consistent with overstress failure. The pulley bracket had a crescent wear mark adjacent to but outside of the cotter pin intended to retain the cable in the pulley groove. The wear mark was covered with a black residue and its appearance was not fresh. No wear was observed on the cotter pin. The complete report of the laboratory examination is appended to this report. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The FAA, Cessna Aircraft, and Teledyne Continental Motors, were parties to the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23033](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23033-2017-07-20), registration cancelled 2017-07-20, S/N 15068691, 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: 15068691 - Airframe hours: 3797 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tri State Airmotive LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 2000, 47 hours before - Departed: HRO, HARRISON, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 28, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 182 total, 160 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: HRO, 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 20010527024639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010527024639A), May 27, 2001: Cessna 150H, Protem, MO, No damage. (-23) Pilot reported operating approximately 600 to 800 feet AGL with 10 degrees of flap extended at approximately 80 mph. There was a loud "bang" on the left… 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.