# NTSB FTW93LA191: Cessna 150L, N11069, Navasota, TX, June 16, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 1993, 11:13 local (16:13 UTC) - Place: Navasota, TX - Coordinates: 30.380157, -96.080734 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3802&lon=-96.0807&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18776 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18776/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA191 ## Probable cause PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO LEFT MAGNETO FLUCTUATING DUE TO LOOSE COIL. 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(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - ignition system,magneto - fluctuating (cause) - ignition system,ignition coil - loose (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - weather condition - haze/smoke - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - fence - object - fence post - Nose down, landing - roll ## Analysis DURING THE SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITH REPORTED HAZE, THE STUDENT PILOT HAD DESCENDED TO 2,000 FEET MSL TO REMAIN BELOW THE CLOUDS. THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE STUDENT PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING INTO A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A FENCE, AND FENCE POST, AND CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND ACCESSORIES REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS NOT FIRING AT TIMES AND OTHER TIMES WOULD FIRE IN A RANDOM SEQUENCE. AN INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT MAGNETO REVEALED THAT THE COILS WERE LOOSE ## Factual narrative On June 16, 1993, at approximately 1113 central daylight time a Cessna 150L, N11069, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a fence and fence post during a forced landing following a loss of partial engine power. The solo student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the solo cross country instructional flight. During interviews conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration inspectors with the operator, owner, pilot, and flight instructor, the following information was revealed. This flight was the first solo cross country flight for the student. The preflight preparation was completed by the student and the flight departed the Spring, Texas, airport at approximately 1050. During cruise flight, at 2,000 feet MSL, approximately 30 miles northwest of Spring, Texas, the pilot smelled fuel. A check of the flight surroundings and the cockpit area for smoke did not reveal a source. The student pilot stated that within a few seconds the right fuel gauge went to zero and the engine started running rough. Altitude could not be maintained and the pilot selected a field for an emergency landing. The flaps were extended ten degrees and the carburetor heat was pulled to the on position as the power was reduced to idle. During the landing roll the airplane hit the barbed wire and fence post, then cartwheeled along the ground, and came to rest with the nose down. An examination of the site by the Federal Aviation Administration inspectors did not reveal any evidence of fire. Flight control continuity was established and fuel was found in both fuel tanks. An examination of the engine and accessories by the inspectors and the engine representative (report enclosed) revealed the following information. The left magneto was not firing continuously and was firing in a random sequence. An internal examination of the magneto revealed a loose coil. Maintenance records reviewed by the investigator in charge indicated that on May 26, 1992, the new left magneto had been installed. The airplane was released to the owner following the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11069](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11069-1995-06-30), registration cancelled 1995-06-30, S/N 15075196 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15075196 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Horizon Aviation - Registered owner: Street, Jeffrey L. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 1993 - Departed: DWH, SPRING, TX - Destination: CLL, COLLEGE STATION, TX - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CLL, 302 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 19930616018929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930616018929A), Jun 16, 1993: Cessna 150L, Navasota, TX, Substantial damage. Rough engine partial powerloss. Hit fence and cartwheeled. Left mag recently installed had a loose coil. ## Other investigations on N11069 (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 CHI74FE140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FE140), May 23, 1974: Cessna 150L (N11069), Galion, OH, 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.