# NTSB FTW96LA247: Cessna 150L, N17299, Levelland, TX, June 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 1996, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Levelland, TX - Coordinates: 33.569934, -102.359428 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5699&lon=-102.3594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19862 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19862/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=19862 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA247 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper use of mixture control resulting in a loss of engine power. A factor was the unsuitable 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(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - mixture - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The pilot was practicing steep turns in a practice area adjacent to an airport when the engine lost power. The pilot did not attempt a restart and executed a forced approach/landing to a field. The airplane came to rest inverted in the field (soft terrain). Examination of the cockpit area revealed that the mixture control was in a 'maximum lean setting.' Once the airplane was righted, the mixture was pushed in to a richer position, and the FAA inspector started, and ground tested the engine. The engine appeared to operate normally. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 1996, at 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N17299, registered to and operated by Levelland Aviation, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Levelland, Texas. The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight. The following paragraph is based on information provided by a FAA inspector and a NTSB interview with the operator. The pilot was practicing steep turns in a practice area adjacent to Levelland Municipal Airport when the engine lost power. The pilot did not attempt a restart and executed a forced approach/landing to a field. The airplane came to rest inverted in the field (soft terrain). Examination of the cockpit area revealed that the mixture control was in a "maximum lean setting." Once the airplane was righted, the mixture was pushed in to a richer position, and the FAA inspector started, and ground tested the engine. The engine appeared to operate normally. Carburetor icing probability charts were examined with the local temperature and dew point conditions. According to the chart, carburetor icing was determined not to be a factor. Fueling records indicated there was ample fuel in the aircraft prior to the flight, and fuel was found in the tanks at the accident site. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report) were unsuccessful. The last attempt (certified mail) was returned to the regional office undelivered, "box closed." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17299](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17299), registered now, S/N 15073712, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15072712 - Airframe hours: 8300 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven C. Bernstein - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Q24 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 32 total, 31 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LBB, 20 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 19960613013779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960613013779A), Jun 13, 1996: Cessna 150, Levelland, TX, Substantial damage. Practicing manuvers, experienced engine failure, landed in a plowed field and flipped. (-23) during solo flight in the practice area, this student pilot… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 23, 1997, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=19862. 164 KB in all. - Reports from Federal Agencies (item 1, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470955&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies-Master.PDF 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.