# NTSB FTW96LA209: Cessna 150M, N704RS, Springdale, AR, May 11, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1996, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC) - Place: Springdale, AR - Location: 36.1867° N, 94.1288° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Springdale, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1867&lon=-94.1288&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19836/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA209 ## Probable cause the flight instructor's improper (unapproved) procedure of using the mixture control to simulate an engine failure. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - mixture - reduced, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - fence ## Analysis While practicing simulated engine out procedures, the flight instructor (CFI) 'pulled the mixture off to simulate [an] engine failure.' When the student pilot did not turn towards a field to land the airplane, the CFI took the controls and attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine. During an approach for a forced landing in an open field, the airplane hit a barbed wire fence, damaging the left horizontal stabilizer, cowling, and fuselage. The airplane touched down 30 to 50 feet beyond the fence and came to a stop without further damage. After landing, the instructor 'restarted the engine to trouble-shoot, but found no trouble as it started immediately.' FAA publication AC 61-21A stated that the throttle should be used to simulate an engine failure. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1996, at 0905 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N704RS, owned and operated by Bassett Flight Center, Inc., sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Springdale, Arkansas. The certificated flight instructor and his student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The flight originated at Springdale Municipal Airport, Springdale, Arkansas, at 0825. The flight instructor reported that, while practicing simulated engine out procedures, he had "pulled the mixture off to simulate [an] engine failure." When the student pilot did not turn towards a field to land the airplane, he took the controls and attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine. During the approach to an open field, the airplane hit a barbed wire fence damaging the left horizontal stabilizer, cowling, and fuselage. The airplane touched down 30 to 50 feet beyond the fence and came to a stop without further damage. The flight instructor further reported that, after landing, "I restarted the engine to trouble-shoot, but found no trouble as it started immediately." FAA publication AC 61-21A states in Chapter 9 - Landing Approaches and Landings\Emergency Approaches (simulated) that, "The instructor should give simulated forced landings by retarding the throttle and calling 'Simulated Forced Landing.'" ## Aircraft - Registration: [N704RS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N704RS), registered now, S/N 15078819, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15078819 - Airframe hours: 3400 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Greg Bassett - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1996 - Departed: ASG, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,250 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19960511010269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960511010269A), May 11, 1996: Cessna 150M, Springdale, AR, Substantial damage. Aircraft had to make emergency landing when its engine failed during simulated engine failure. (-23) the flight instructor and student were on a local training… ## Other investigations on N704RS (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 CHI93LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA108), Mar 2, 1993: Cessna 150M (N704RS), Aurora, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. 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.