CHI99LA069

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150C · Middleton, WI · January 20, 1999

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
January 19, 1999, 19:30 local (Jan 20, 1999, 01:30 UTC)
Place
Middleton, WI
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N1956ZCessna 150C
Weather
Day
Status
Completed · report May 8, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19990119007189A
Case key
45617

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

inadequate aircraft preflight by the pilot and the ice in the fuel system. A factor associated with the accident was the ravine which the airplane contacted during the forced landing.

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 powerTakeoff - initial climb
Fuel system,line - iceCause
Aircraft preflight - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Forced landingEmergency landing after takeoff
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - flare/touchdown
Terrain condition - ravineFactor

Analysis

The pilot reported that after takeoff at an altitude of 75 to 100 Feet above the ground a loss of engine power occurred. The airplane was landed in a snow covered field off the end of the runway where it contacted a ravine. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and the inspector reported that ice was found in the fuel system, which resulted in the loss off engine power. The line leading to the fuel quick drains contained six inches of ice near the valve. The airplane had been kept outside. The left fuel tank filler cap, which was recessed, was found covered with ice.

Factual narrative

On January 19, 1999, at 1930 central standard time, a Cessna 150C, N1956Z, operated by a private pilot collided with a snowbank during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while taking off from the Morey Airport, Middleton, Wisconsin. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that after takeoff at an altitude of 75 to 100 feet above the ground a loss of engine power occurred. The airplane was landed in a snow covered field off the end of the runway. The airplane contacted a ravine and came to rest approximately 80 feet off the end of the runway.

The airplane was examined by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported that ice was found in the fuel system which resulted in the loss off engine power. The line leading to the fuel quick drain contained six inches of ice near the valve. The airplane had been kept outside. The left fuel tank filler cap which was recessed was found covered with ice.

Aircraft

Registration
N1956Z
Reported as
Cessna 150C
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15059756
Airframe hours
4,603
Engine
Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Paul R. Dresen
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · October 13, 1998 · 4 hours before
Departed
C29
Airport
C29 · Morey

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
45
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
119 total · 56 as pilot in command

Weather

Conditions
Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
18 °F, dew point 9 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
MSN, 10 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.