CHI98LA226

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150H · Osceola, WI · June 28, 1998

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
June 28, 1998, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
Place
Osceola, WI
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N50433Cessna 150H
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report February 15, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19980628015149A
Case key
10940

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the student pilot's incomplete preflight, and the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision of the student's preflight. Factors were the fuel contaminated with water, and the roadway encountered during the forced landing rollout.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalTakeoff - initial climb
Fuel system - contamination,waterFactor
Aircraft preflight - improperDual studentCause
Supervision - inadequatePilot in command(cfi)Cause
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - roll
Terrain condition - roadway/highwayFactor
Nose overLanding - roll

Analysis

In the written statement the instructor said that during the preflight the student found water in the fuel. He indicated that there was additional fuel drawn in an attempt to remove the water. He said he was confident that no water was left in the system. After conducting some touch and go landings, and during initial climb, the engine suffered a total loss of power. A forced landing was conducted in an area where the airplane impacted a roadway and nosed over. A subsequent examination of the gascolator found about 80% water contained in the sample drawn from that location.

Factual narrative

On June 28, 1998, at 1545 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N50433, experienced a loss of engine power during an initial climb during takeoff from the Osceola Airport, Osceola, Wisconsin. The flight instructor pilot and commercial pilot (student) received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was being operated as an instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91 and had been performing touch & go landings. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was departing with the intended destination of Blaine, Minnesota, when the accident occurred..

According to a written statement by the pilot, water was found while draining fuel during the pre-flight check. Several sumps were performed to remove water and contaminants from the fuel. The pilot stated they were very confident no water could be left in the system. After performing a touch and go landing at Osceola, Wisconsin, at 200 feet the engine sputtered and quit. The instructor took over the controls and conducted a forced landing. On rollout, the airplane impacted a road and nosed over.

During a subsequent post accident investigation, a fuel sample taken from the gascolator revealed approximately 80% water in the sample. The inspector's report is attached as an addendum to this report.

Aircraft

Registration
N50433
Reported as
Cessna 150H
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15069300
Airframe hours
4,025
Engine
Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
Gail Erickson
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
Last inspection
Annual · February 27, 1998 · 37 hours before
Departed
OEO · Osceola, WI
Destination
ANE · Blane, MN

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
36
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Right
Flight hours
1,868 total · 3 in this make and model · 1,777 as pilot in command · 288 in the last 90 days · 55 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
250° at 17 knots, gusting 22
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
81 °F, dew point 55 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
MSP, 24 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.

Other investigations on N50433 · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.