# NTSB DEN92LA092: Cessna 150, N5703E, Greeley, CO, September 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1992, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Greeley, CO
- Coordinates: 40.440029, -104.670227 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4400&lon=-104.6702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA092

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A DETERIORATED CARBURETOR FLOAT WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE FLOODING.  A FACTOR WAS: UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## 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
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - fuel system,carburetor float - deteriorated (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOLLOWING TAKEOFF THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT.  DURING THIS PRECAUTIONARY APPROACH THE ENGINE FAILED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO A CORN FIELD. DURING LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN STC ALLOWING THE USE OF AUTO FUEL, AND AUTO FUEL WAS ABOARD.  IN ADDITION, THE CARBURETOR WAS EQUIPPED WITH A COMPOSITE FLOAT VICE METAL FLOAT.  THE FLOAT WAS SATURATED CAUSING ENGINE FLOODING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5703E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5703E-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 17203, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150) (registry code 2071802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17203
- Airframe hours: 5800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Campbell, Robert E.
- Registered owner: Campbell, Robert E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1992
- Departed: GXY
- Destination: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 614 total, 489 in this make and model, 552 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GXY, 3 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920913039119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920913039119A), Sep 13, 1992: Cessna 150, Greeley, CO, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Nosed over on off airport landing. Used auto fuel. Composite float saturated. Not per STC.

## Other investigations on N5703E (2)

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 DEN73DQA21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73DQA21), Nov 18, 1972: Cessna 150 (N5703E), Aztec, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN70D0155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70D0155), Dec 30, 1969: Cessna 150 (N5703E), Canjilon, 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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