# NTSB FTW91LA056: Cessna 150F, N383VU, Floresville, TX, March 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1991, 10:51 local (16:51 UTC)
- Place: Floresville, TX
- Coordinates: 29.129379, -98.149703 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1294&lon=-98.1497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23315/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA056

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DUE TO A JAMMED VALVE, INCORRECT MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND.

## 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, descent - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - jammed (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - poor, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - fence
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A DAY CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT BEGAN AN APPROVED DESCENT FOR AN APPROACH TO SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER DUE TO A STUCK VALVE IN THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER STUDENT PILOT WAS VECTORED TO A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, HOWEVER, SHE COULD NOT EXTEND THE GLIDE FAR ENOUGH TO REACH THE AIRSTRIP DUE TO A TAIL WIND ON HER SELECTED FINAL APPROACH COURSE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AND FENCE DURING THE LANDING CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO PITCH OVER INVERTED. SIGNIFICANT MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT AND THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE INSTANCE OF A POWER LOSS DURING A PREVIOUS TAKEOFF. THERE WERE 2 PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WHERE THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE STUCK IN THE HALF OPEN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N383VU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N383VU-2004-07-22), registration cancelled 2004-07-22, S/N 15063968, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- 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: 15063968
- Airframe hours: 4994
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Airpline Pilot Institute Inc
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1990, 43 hours before
- Departed: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
- Destination: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, John Connolly, runway 11, 4,050 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 59 total, 10 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 35 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 19910324007199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910324007199A), Mar 24, 1991: Cessna 150F, Floresville, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on crosscountry. Tried land downwind on short strip. Overshot strip into trees. Found stuck valves.

## Other investigations on N383VU (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 CHI71DBQ32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DBQ32), Feb 20, 1971: Cessna 150 (N383VU), Sumner, IL, 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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