# NTSB FTW89LA114: Cessna 150J, N60625, Minden, LA, June 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1989, 08:59 local (13:59 UTC)
- Place: Minden, LA
- Coordinates: 32.61045, -93.280776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6105&lon=-93.2808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22881/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA114

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PERFORMED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 1.6 FLYING HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE MIXTURE CONTROL BECOMING DISCONNECTED.

## 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
  - mixture control - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD JUST BEEN PURCHASED AND WAS BEING FERRIED TO A NEW LOCATION. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD LEVELED OFF AT 3,500 FEET, AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAN THE FUEL MIXTURE, BUT THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. HE PLACED THE MIXTURE CONTROL BACK TO FULL RICH AND THE ENGINE SMOOTHED OUT, SO HE DECIDED TO FLY THE REMAINDER OF THE FLIGHT IN FULL RICH. HE SAID THE ENGINE RAN GOOD FOR FIVE MINUTES, THEN THE RPM STARTED TO FALL FROM 2,400 TO 1,500, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED. ATC FURNISHED VECTORS TOWARD THE NEAREST AIRPORT, BUT THE ENGINE QUIT COMPLETELY AND THE PILOT HAD TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MIXTURE CONTROL HOUSING, AT THE CARBURETOR, HAD SLIPPED FROM THE ATTACHMENT CLAMP. THE MIXTURE CONTROL ARM WAS FOUND IN CUTOFF AND IT WAS FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF CUTOFF, DESPITE THE POSITION OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN THE COCKPIT. IT COULD BE MOVED MANUALLY, AT THE CARBURETOR. THE ACFT HAD AN ANNUAL UNSPECTION 1.6 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60625](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60625-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 15070457, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070457
- Airframe hours: 4709
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: James M. Maples, Jr.
- Registered owner: Milliron, Henry R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: DTN, SHREVEPORT, LA
- Destination: GNV, GREENVILLE, MS
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890620018159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890620018159A), Jun 20, 1989: Cessna 150J, Minden, LA, Destroyed. Engine died en route. Crash landed in trees. Mixture control housing came lose from carburetor causing idle cutoff.

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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