FTW96LA056

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150M · Santa Fe, NM · November 29, 1995

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
November 29, 1995, 16:05 local (23:05 UTC)
Place
Santa Fe, NM
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N8130VCessna 150M
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report June 6, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19951129039159A
Case key
19718

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - initial climb
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterEmergency landing after takeoff
Terrain condition - none suitableFactor
Terrain condition - rough/uneven

Analysis

As the student pilot was making a takeoff from runway 33, the engine lost power during the initial takeoff/climb. The student then initiated an emergency approach to runway 15; however, the airplane landed short of the runway on rough and uneven terrain. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed 'no discrepancies that would have contributed to the power loss.'

Factual narrative

On November 29, 1995, at 1605 mountain standard time, a Cessna 150M, N8130V, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The student pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated by Zia Aviation of Santa Fe, New Mexico, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo instructional flight and a flight plan was not filed.

During a personal interview, conducted by the FAA inspector, the pilot reported that a loss of engine power occurred during the initial takeoff climb from runway 33. The airplane landed short of runway 15 during the subsequent emergency approach. The firewall, horizontal stabilizer, and gear box were damaged during the landing roll in rough and uneven terrain. Examination of the airplane by the inspector revealed "no discrepancies that would have contributed to the power loss."

Numerous attempts were made by the FAA and the investigator-in-charge to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). To date the report has not been received.

Aircraft

Registration
N8130V
Reported as
Cessna 150M
Category
Airplane
Serial number
A1500535
Airframe hours
3,556
Engine
Continental O-200, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
Zia Aviation
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Aerobatic
Last inspection
100 hour · October 11, 1995 · 71 hours before
Departed
SAF

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
17
Certificate
Student
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
25 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
300° at 7 knots
Visibility
40 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
SAF, 1 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.