# NTSB IAD01LA099: Cessna 150J, N5591G, Hyannis, MA, August 24, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 24, 2001, 01:00 local (05:00 UTC) - Place: Hyannis, MA - Coordinates: 41.669166, -70.280281 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6692&lon=-70.2803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53107 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD01LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53107/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA099 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and drained fuel samples from both wing sump drains, and the fuselage sump drain. The pilot observed about 1/4-inch of water, in a 4-inch sample of fuel taken from the right wing fuel sump drain. The pilot stated that he did not drain the fuel again to determine if the water was out of the tank. The pilot then performed a run-up inspection and initiated a takeoff. The airplane obtained an altitude of 300 feet, when the engine "stopped completely." The pilot then performed a forced landing into trees. Examination of the airplane revealed corrosion on the right wing fuel cap, and inside the right fuel tank. The carburetor was disassembled and the carburetor bowl was "about 1/3 full of water," and contaminated by a "brownish substance." Thumb compression and valve train continuity was confirmed to all cylinders by manual rotation of the propeller. The airplane was last fueled about 1 month prior to the accident with 16.7 gallons, and "a significant amount of rain" had fallen in the area since then. ## Factual narrative On August 24, 2001, about 0100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N5591G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Barnstable Municipal Airport (HYA), Hyannis, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot and passenger/owner were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot said that he and the passenger were employees at HYA. On the day of the accident, they completed their shifts around midnight, and then decided to practice touch-and-gos at the airport. The pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and drained fuel samples from both wing sumps, and the fuselage sump drain. The pilot observed about 1/4-inch of water, in a 4-inch sample of fuel taken from the right wing sump. The pilot stated that he did not drain the fuel again to determine if the water was out of the tank. The left drain sample and fuselage drain sample did not contain any water. The pilot then taxied the airplane to runway 15 and performed an engine run-up inspection. After takeoff, the airplane obtained an altitude of 300 feet when the engine "stopped completely." The pilot attempted a 90-degree turn back to the runway, and when he realized he would not make it, he "stalled the airplane into the trees." Additionally, the pilot stated that he had observed corrosion on the right wing fuel cap about a month prior to the accident. He informed the owner of the corrosion; however the fuel tank cap was not replaced. The airplane was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. According to the inspector, both wings and the fuselage exhibited substantial damage. Additionally, corrosion was noted on the right wing fuel cap, and inside the right fuel tank. The carburetor was disassembled and the bowl was "about 1/3 full of water," and contaminated by a "brownish substance." Thumb compression and valve train continuity was confirmed to all cylinders by manual rotation of the propeller. The FAA inspector reported that the last annual inspection was performed on the airplane in September 2000. An employee at HYA stated that the airplane was last fueled on July 27, 2001, with 16.7 gallons. According to the employee, "a significant amount of rain" had fallen in the area since then. Weather reported at HYA, at 1256, included winds from 270 degrees at 11 knots, a scattered cloud layer at 9,500 feet, a broken cloud layer at 12,000 feet, visibility 5 miles, temperature 22 degrees, dew point 21 degrees, and altimeter 29.93 in Hg. The pilot reported 650 hours of total flight experience, of which 250 hours were in make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5591G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5591G-2001-12-10), registration cancelled 2001-12-10, S/N 15071091, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150J - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15071091 - Airframe hours: 5560 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bozena Niechwiadowicz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 2000 - Departed: HYA, Hyannis, MA - Airport: HYA, Barnstable Municipal Airport, runway 15, 5,252 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 7, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 650 total, 250 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 270° at 11 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: HYA ## 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 20010824023949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010824023949A), Aug 24, 2001: Cessna 150J, Hyannis, MA, No damage. (-23) Pilot and passenger departed Hyannis intending to complete T/0'S and landings at Hyannis airport. Engine failed at approximately 300 feet AGL on initial… 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.