# NTSB FTW97LA290: Cessna A150K, N8332M, Elgin, OK, July 30, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 1997, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Elgin, OK - Coordinates: 34.81937, -98.240913 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8194&lon=-98.2409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20299 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20299/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA290 ## Probable cause fuel contamination, and the pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane. Trees in the emergency landing area were considered a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had fueled the airplane from his own 150 gallon tank, which had been idle for approximately 18 months. The pilot reported that he preflighted the airplane in the hangar before takeoff. He stated that the takeoff appeared normal until approximately '75 feet agl when the engine quit.' Also, he reported that he 'attempted to turn left back to a lane beside the runway, but he felt the airplane begin to stall and buffet.' He lowered the nose to gain speed and landed in some tree tops. Postcrash examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that 'the fuel in the airplane's fuel tank was dark and muddy looking.' The pilot reported (to the IIC) that 'he believes that the airplane's fuel was contaminated which caused his power failure.' ## Factual narrative On July 30, 1997, approximately 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna A150K, N8332M, was substantially damaged following loss of engine power during initial climb following takeoff from a private grass strip near Elgin, Oklahoma. The private pilot, sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he had fueled the airplane from his own 150 gallon tank which had been idle for approximately 18 months. The pilot reported to the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that he preflighted the airplane in the hangar before takeoff. He stated that the takeoff appeared normal until approximately "75 feet agl when the engine quit." The pilot reported to the IIC that he "attempted to turn left back to a lane beside the runway, but he felt the airplane begin to stall and buffet." He lowered the airplane's nose to gain speed and landed in some tree tops. Postcrash examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that "the fuel in the airplane's fuel tank was dark and muddy looking." The pilot reported to the IIC that "he believes that the airplane's fuel was contaminated which caused his power failure." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8332M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8332M-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N A15000032, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A150K - Registry model: [Cessna A150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a150k) (registry code 2071824) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A15000032 - Airframe hours: 2662 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert M. Huber - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1996, 36 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,354 total, 534 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAW, 22 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 19970730037719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970730037719A), Jul 30, 1997: Cessna A150K, Lawton, OK, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Turned back and landed in trees. Contaminated fuel dark and muddy. Private fuel storage. (-23) contaminated fuel (auto gas-about 30… 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.