# NTSB FTW00TA065: Cessna 150F, N6691F, Livingston, TX, January 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: January 14, 2000, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Livingston, TX - Coordinates: 30.699863, -94.929603 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6999&lon=-94.9296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48492 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00TA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48492/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00TA065 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power resulting from an exhaust valve failure. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## 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, maneuvering - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - object - tree(s) ## Analysis While maneuvering at 2,500 feet msl during the aerial observation flight for spotting wildfires, a total loss of engine power occurred. The pilot selected a field for the forced landing. Trees at the approach end of the landing area were estimated to be 120 feet high. While the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid the last tree, the airplane impacted the ground hard. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The engine had accumulated 743.7 hours since the last overhaul. Examination of the Continental O-200-A engine revealed that the #1 cylinder exhaust valve head separated from the valve stem. Impact marks on the piston head were consistent with the valve head penetrating the piston. Damage to the exhaust valve precluded a determination of the cause of the valve failure. ## Factual narrative On January 14, 2000, at 1530 central standard time, a Cessna 150F single-engine airplane, N6691F, struck the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Livingston, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial observation flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Livingston Municipal Airport at 1415. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he was flying for a contractor with the Texas Forestry Service to locate fires. The pilot had flown the airplane for 3 1/2 hours earlier in the day and no discrepancies were noted. He had landed the airplane at the Livingston Municipal Airport for refueling, and thirty gallons of fuel were added to the long range fuel tanks. After takeoff, approximately 20 miles east of Livingston, at an altitude of 2,500 feet msl, the engine started "running rough, knocking, and rattling." A field was selected for the forced landing. Final approach airspeed was 40 mph for the short field landing over trees. While the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid the last tree, the airplane impacted the ground "hard." The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over to the inverted position. The FAA inspector, responding to the site, found structural damage to the engine firewall and both wing spars. Trees at the approach end of the landing area were estimated to be 120 feet high. On January 26, 2000, the FAA inspector and the manufacturer representative examined the Continental O-200-A engine (serial number 63019-6-A). The #1 cylinder exhaust valve head was found separated from the valve stem. Impact marks on the piston head were consistent with the valve head penetrating the piston. Damage to the exhaust valve precluded a determination of the cause of the valve failure. At the time of the accident, the tachometer reading was 4,729.7 hours. Maintenance records revealed that the engine had accumulated 743.7 hours since the last overhaul dated July 1994. Time of engine operation since the last 100 hour inspection was 102.7 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6691F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6691F-2000-06-22), registration cancelled 2000-06-22, S/N 15063291 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15063291 - Airframe hours: 4730 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leland R. Priestly - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1999, 103 hours before - Departed: 00R, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,126 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 133 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 20000114014339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000114014339A), Jan 14, 2000: Cessna 150F, Livingston, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) While maneuvering at 2,500 feet MSL during the aerial observation flight for spotting wildfires, a total loss of engine power occurred. The pilot selected… ## Other investigations on N6691F (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 FTW68D0030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0030-201119), Jul 8, 1967: Cessna 150 (N6691F), New Orleans, LA, 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. --- 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.