# NTSB FTW84LA212: Cessna 150M, N45387, San Antonio, TX, April 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1984, 21:00 local (Apr 25, 1984, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.41014, -98.629158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4101&lon=-98.6292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA212

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,ring - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING TO ARPT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A ROUGH RUNNING ENG WITH A DROP IN RPM. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT POWER TO MAINTAIN FLT AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A HIGHWAY. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING THE HARD LANDING. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE #1 ROD ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. ONLY ABOUT 1 PINT OF OIL WAS FOUND REMAINING. THE 2ND RING ON PISTONS 2, 3 & 4 WERE OIL SCRAPER RINGS. THE 1ST AND 2ND RINGS ON EACH PISTON SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPRESSION RINGS. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING & THE #2, #3 & #4 ROD TO CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS WERE PITTED & GALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45387](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45387-2014-10-09), registration cancelled 2014-10-09, S/N 15076896, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076896
- Airframe hours: 3145
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Skycasters Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 1983, 17 hours before
- Departed: SSF, SAN ANTONIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,607 total, 725 in this make and model, 2,449 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 140° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °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 19840424014509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840424014509A), Apr 24, 1984: Cessna 150M, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. Power loss on night advertising flight. Crash landed on a highway. Engine oil depleted due to wrong piston rings.

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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