# NTSB DEN92LA073: Cessna 150, N66315, Ft. Collins, CO, July 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1992, 16:29 local (22:29 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Collins, CO
- Location: 40.5853° N, 105.0844° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Collins, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5853&lon=-105.0844&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA073

## Probable cause

IMPROPER RATE OF DESCENT AND LACK OF FLARE WHILE CONDUCTING A FORCED LANDING.  FACTORS WERE:  PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO STUCK EXHAUST VALVES CAUSED BY ENGINE OVERHEAT FROM IMPROPER LEANING.

## 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 assembly,valve,exhaust - seized (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - powerplant - overtemperature (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, WHILE CONDUCTING A LOCAL TRAINING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL.  THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL AND CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. TOUCH DOWN WAS HARD AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED TWO CYLINDERS WITH EXHAUST VALVES STUCK OPEN.  EVIDENCE OF OVERHEAT WAS PRESENT AND ALL ENGINE COOLING DEVICES WERE PROPERLY IN PLACE.  THE OPERATOR HAD BRIEFED ALL HIS INSTRUCTORS ON LEANING TO PEAK POWER DUE TO HIGH ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66315](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66315-1993-03-18), registration cancelled 1993-03-18, S/N 15075984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075984
- Airframe hours: 7270
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gates, Robert L., doing business as Hoffman Pilot Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 1992, 92 hours before
- Departed: 3V5
- Destination: 3V5

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 793 total, 205 in this make and model, 727 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920713025069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920713025069A), Jul 13, 1992: Cessna 150M, Fort Collins, CO, Substantial damage. Rough engine on climbout. CFI took over. Landed hard in field. Nosed over. Stuck valves from over leaning heating.

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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