# NTSB FTW95LA203: Cessna 150H, N22086, Rockport, TX, May 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1995, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Rockport, TX
- Coordinates: 27.790327, -97.659049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7903&lon=-97.6590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA203

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - movement restricted (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - sign

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE APPROACHED HIS DESTINATION, THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERED AND CHOKE' AND THEN LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY BRIDGE IMPACTING TWO MARKER POSTS AND STRUCTURALLY DAMAGING ONE WING SPAR.  POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE #2 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE WAS STUCK OPEN.

## Factual narrative

On May 16, 1995, at 1420 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N22086, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Rockport, Texas.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The aircraft was being operated by Lufkin Plane Rental, under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated from Angelina County Airport near Lufkin, Texas, at 1135.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed.

The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and on the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, that as he approached his destination the "engine started to sputter and choke."  The pilot reported that he "went through my emergency procedures, checking my mixture, throttle, carb [carburetor] heat, and fuel, 20 seconds had passed and the engine quit."  During the landing on a highway bridge, the airplane impacted two marker post resulting in structural damage to a wing spar.

Examination of the engine by the FAA inspector revealed that the #2 cylinder exhaust valve was stuck open.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22086](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22086), registered now, S/N 15068056 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068056
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: A. W. Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 1994
- Departed: LFK, LUFKIN, TX
- Destination: 2R8, PORT ARANSAS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 148 total, 16 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 21 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 21 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 19950516048479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950516048479A), May 16, 1995: Cessna 150, Rockport, TX, Minor damage. (-16) Pilot reported that while at cruise and level flight at approximately 1300 AGL, the engine ran rough for approximately 10 seconds and then the engine…

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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