# NTSB CHI96LA340: Cessna 150, N1381Q, Wonder Lake, IL, September 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 14, 1996, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Wonder Lake, IL - Coordinates: 42.380233, -88.35958 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3802&lon=-88.3596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA340 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10393/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=10393 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA340 ## Probable cause a blocked exhaust pipe as a result of an inadequate weld repair to the muffler. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - exhaust system,muffler - blocked(partial) (cause) - maintenance,rebuild/remanufacture - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that during climb out after takeoff the engine sustained a partial loss of power. The pilot executed an emergency landing in a corn field approximately three quarters of a mile from the airport. A weld repair had been performed on the muffler. Another pipe on the muffler was cracked, and brown residue was around the crack. The internal baffling inside the muffler was broken loose, and pieces of the baffling were missing. The exhaust pipe which had been welded was broken loose from the internal baffling. The aircraft's manufacturer does not recommend welding any exhaust system components, and the aircraft's logbook had an entry on 10/20/95 which read 'welded crack in muffler.' ## Factual narrative On September 14, 1996 at approximately 1300 central daylight (cdt) time, a Cessna 150, N1381Q was substantially damaged during an off airport landing in Wonder Lake, Illinois. The airplane had just departed from the from the Galt Airport, and came to rest in a corn field. The pilot was uninjured in the accident, and reported that the engine had sustained a partial loss of power before the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating under visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported on NTSB form 6120.1/2 that during climb out after takeoff that the engine lost RPM and power. The pilot reported that after the loss of power he began the emergency procedures checklist. The engine continued running at partial power, and the pilot decided to execute an emergency landing in a corn field, approximately three quarters of a mile from the airport. The investigator in charge obtained one muffler from the accident aircraft. At the portion where one exhaust pipe enters the muffler a weld repair had been performed. Large amounts of weld which appeared to have insufficient penetration, were around the intersection of the pipe and the muffler. Another pipe on the muffler was cracked, and brown residue was present around the crack. The internal baffling inside the muffler was broken loose, and pieces of the baffling were missing. The exhaust pipe which had been welded was broken loose from the internal baffling. The aircraft's manufacturer does not recommend welding any exhaust system components, and the aircraft's logbook had an entry on October 20, 1995 which read "welded crack in muffler." The airplane's nose gear was torn off in the accident. The leading edges of the wings, left wing spar, propeller, lower cowling and propeller were all bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1381Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1381Q-1999-11-05), registration cancelled 1999-11-05, S/N 15072681 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15072681 - Airframe hours: 4718 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Galt Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1996, 3 hours before - Departed: C10 - Destination: C59, BIGFOOT, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 256 total, 229 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: UGN, 22 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 19960914028349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960914028349A), Sep 14, 1996: Cessna 150L, Greenwood/Wonde, IL, Substantial damage. Lost partial power on climbout. Crashed in cornfield. Improper weld on muffler broke and loose baffling blockage. (-23) on September 14, 1996 aircraft departed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 1996, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=10393. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.