# NTSB CHI94LA091: Cessna 150M, N704CE, La Crosse, WI, February 18, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1994, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: La Crosse, WI
- Location: 43.8251° N, 91.2246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of La Crosse, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8251&lon=-91.2246&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA091

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST VALVE IN THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT WERE PRACTICING STEEP TURNS WHEN THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST ALL POWER.  THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A SNOW COVERED FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED A FRACTURED EXHAUST VALVE IN THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER.

## Factual narrative

On February 18, 1994, about 1030 central standard time, a Cessna 150 airplane, N704CE, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and forced landing in a field near La Crosse, Wisconsin.  The certificated flight instructor and student pilot aboard were not injured.  The local instructional flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 without flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.  The flight departed Winona, Minnesota, about 1000.

In a statement made to the FAA, the flight instructor states he and his student were practicing steep turns when they experienced a complete loss of engine power.  A forced landing was initiated onto a snow covered field.  After touchdown the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the exhaust valve in the number one cylinder had fractured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704CE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N704CE), registered now, S/N 15078498, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078498
- Airframe hours: 7552
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Certified Flight Inc.
- Registered owner: B2w Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 3, 1993, 96 hours before
- Departed: ONA, WINONA, MN
- Destination: ONA, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,061 total, 686 in this make and model, 914 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19940218006209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940218006209A), Feb 18, 1994: Cessna 150M, La Crosse, WI, Substantial damage

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.

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