# NTSB FTW98LA357: Cessna 150J, N60564, Belen, NM, August 7, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1998, 11:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Belen, NM - Coordinates: 34.65063, -106.768997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6506&lon=-106.7690&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43676 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA357 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43676/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA357 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight in that he failed to drain the water from the fuel sumps. Factors were water contamination in the fuel tank and a sand bar. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot told FAA inspectors that he detected water in the fuel during his preflight, and thought he had drained all the water from the tanks. In his accident report, however, he made no reference to his preflight. Shortly after departing runway 21, the engine lost power but was 'surging'. The pilot tried to land on a road but was unable. The pilot stated the 'aircraft [was] in ground effect with [the] stall warning horn in operation.' He 'flew within 30 yards of road when [he] could no longer keep in ground effect with power that the engine was producing.' The pilot made a forced landing on soft sandy soil south of the airport. The aircraft rolled approximately 20 feet and nosed over. FAA inspectors reported draining a considerable quantity of 'rust red' water from both fuel tanks and debris from the gascolator, and the aircraft did not have a valid certificate of airworthiness or registration. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 1998, approximately 1120 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N60564, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing 1 mile south of Alexander Municipal Airport, Belen, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the test flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Belen approximately 5 minutes before the accident. The pilot told FAA inspectors that he detected water in the fuel during his preflight, and thought he had drained all the water from the tanks. In his accident report, however, he made no reference to his preflight. Shortly after departing runway 21, the engine lost power but was "surging". The pilot tried to land on a road but was unable. The pilot stated the "aircraft [was] in ground effect with [the] stall warning horn in operation." He "flew within 30 yards of [a] road when [he] could no longer keep in ground effect with power that the engine was producing." The pilot made a forced landing on soft sandy soil south of the airport. The aircraft rolled approximately 20 feet and nosed over. FAA inspectors reported draining a considerable quantity of "rust red" water from both fuel tanks and debris from the gascolator. The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that the pilot's airmen certificate was suspended in 1989 for 60 days and then was reinstated. In December 1997, his mechanic's license was "amended" but is now suspended. An FAA representative also reported that although the airplane serial number matched the registration number, the latter had been removed from FAA's central registry. The airplane was listed as sold on December 24, 1991, but no new owner's name was listed. The previous owner was contacted and he stated that the airplane had been destroyed. Inspectors said there was no valid Certificate of Airworthiness or Registration Certificate in the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: N60564 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15070408 - Airframe hours: 4539 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jude Salazar - Registered owner: Shiloh Aviation Center Inc. - Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 1998, 3 hours before - Departed: E80 - Airport: E80, Alexander Municipal, runway 21, 6,600 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,672 total, 70 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ ## 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 19980807020199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980807020199A), Aug 7, 1998: Cessna 150J, Belen, NM, Substantial damage. Acft departed to test flight an engine and crashed approx 1 mile from the arpt.(.4) on August 7, 1998, approximately 1120 mountain daylight time, a Cessna… 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.