# NTSB DEN92LA022: Cessna 150E, N306BJ, Glenwood, NM, December 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1991, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Glenwood, NM
- Coordinates: 33.309406, -108.880432 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3094&lon=-108.8804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA022

## Probable cause

PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE SPARK PLUGS. FACTORS WERE INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION AND UNSUITABLE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## 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, climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOPPED OFF BOTH FUEL TANKS WITH AUTOGAS AND DEPARTED WITH A FRIEND TO SEARCH FOR GAME.  WHILE CLIMBING, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND ON UNSUITABLE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  EXAMINATION CONFIRMED ENGINE CONTINUITY.  THE CARBURETOR, AIR FILTER, AND MAGNETOS WERE UNREMARKABLE.  FOUR OF THE EIGHT SPARK PLUS FAILED TO FIRE WHEN TESTED.  AFTER CLEANING, NONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WOULD FIRE AT 80 PSI IN A TEST CHAMBER.  AN ANNUAL INSPECTION HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N306BJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N306BJ-1996-09-11), registration cancelled 1996-09-11, S/N 15061160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150E
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061160
- Airframe hours: 4704
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fred & Beverly Chappell
- Registered owner: Fred & Beverly Chappell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 1991, 2 hours before
- Departed: NONE, GILA, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 398 total, 140 in this make and model, 398 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19911229057509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911229057509A), Dec 29, 1991: Cessna 150E, Glenwood, NM, Destroyed. Engine quit on low level flight looking for game. Stalled landing. No fuel onboard. All spark plugs fouled.

## Other investigations on N306BJ (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 DEN75DQD27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN75DQD27), Jun 11, 1975: Cessna 150 (N306BJ), Silver City, NM, 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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