# NTSB DEN00LA130: Cessna 150L, N18124, Reserve, NM, July 15, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2000, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Reserve, NM - Coordinates: 33.700302, -108.760803 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7003&lon=-108.7608&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49704 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49704/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA130 ## Probable cause Seizure of the starter clutch assembly needle bearing, which caused the engine to develop less than full rated power and the airplane to achieve less than expected climb performance. Factors were noncompliance of a service bulletin, unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing, and trees. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - engine accessories,engine starter - seized (cause) - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not complied with, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 100 feet agl, the airplane 'lost performance' and began to lose altitude. The pilot turned towards descending terrain and attempted to land on a road. Insufficient altitude resulted in the airplane colliding with trees. The engine was examined by the pilot's personal mechanic, who discovered the clutch assembly on the Prestolite starter had seized due to a failed needle bearing. Examination of the airplane maintenance records disclosed no evidence that TCM S.B. M79-10, which provides positive lubrication to the starter clutch, had been accomplished. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 2000, approximately 1550 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N18124, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees shortly after taking off from Reserve, New Mexico. The private pilot and his private pilot certificated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at 1547. In his accident report, the pilot said he added 5 gallons (Phillips 66 autogas, 92 octane) to the 4.5 gallons of fuel already on board the airplane. The airplane has an STC (supplemental type certificate) for the use of autogas. He said the wind was calm, the outside air temperature was 65 degrees F., and he estimated the density altitude to be 7,800 feet msl (above Mean Sea Level). Takeoff was made on runway 24. Approximately 100 feet agl (above ground level), the airplane "lost performance" and began to lose altitude. The pilot turned towards descending terrain and attempted to land on a road. Insufficient altitude resulted in the airplane colliding with trees. The airplane remained entangled in the trees. According to an FAA inspector who examined the wreckage at the accident site, he found evidence of propeller rotation at impact. The engine was removed from the airplane and examined by an A&P (airframe and powerplant) mechanic at the Reserve Airport. He reported finding no anomalies or discrepancies. The airplane was transported back to its home base in Phoenix, Arizona, where it was examined by the pilot's personal mechanic. According to the mechanic's report, he discovered the clutch assembly on the Prestolite starter (p/n MZ 4214, s/n 2903705) had seized due to a failed needle bearing. There were also indications of excessive armature speed. The starter motor had been rebuilt by Aerotech (w/o 22663) in July 1992. The accident facts and photographs of the starter were shared with Aerotech. According to Aerotech, this type of failure normally occurs when the engine is cranked for startup. If the drive assembly were to remain engaged, the pilot would notice an excessive drop in rpm during the pre-takeoff magneto check. There was no entry in the airplane maintenance records to indicate that TCM service bulletin M79-10, which provides positive lubrication to the starter clutch, had been accomplished, and the letters "SO" were not added to the engine serial number, as called for in the service bulletin. Aerotech also said that if the starter clutch were to seize the shaft, the armature would turn at the same rpm as the engine. The windings would spread due to centrifugal force and come into contact with the field coils. Aerotech found no evidence of this in the photographs that were made available to them for inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18124](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18124-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 15073803, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15073803 - Airframe hours: 4161 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William J. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: Q16 - Destination: Q35, SPRINGERVILLE, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 82 total, 56 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20000715006029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000715006029A), Jul 15, 2000: Cessna 150L, Reserve, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) A Cessna model 150L N18124 piloted by[privacy data omitted]miller departed Reserve NM at approximately 1610 local time and lost power after take-off from… ## Other investigations on N18124 (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW74DPM13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DPM13), Dec 15, 1973: Cessna 150 (N18124), Tulsa, OK, destroyed 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.