# NTSB IAD97LA050: Cessna 150, N7811E, Turner, ME, February 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 19, 1997, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Turner, ME - Location: 44.1889° N, 70.2329° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at Twitchell Airport (3B5), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1889&lon=-70.2329&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 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28176 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28176/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA050 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A related factor was the snowbank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, this was the first flight after maintenance to replace the left fuel tank. He said that he satisfactorily completed a preflight and run-up inspection. The pilot stated that during the initial takeoff climb, at about 30 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot closed the throttle, and applied full flaps for a landing on the remaining runway, but the airplane struck a snowbank at the departure end of the runway, and the airplane nosed over. According to the pilot, the engine ran satisfactory after the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 19, 1997, at 0900 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N7811E, was substantially damaged when it collided with a snowbank during a forced landing at the Twitchell Airport, Turner, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, this was the first flight after maintenance to replace the left fuel tank. He said that he satisfactorily completed a preflight and run-up inspection. After takeoff, about 20 to 30 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot said the runway was 2,300 feet long, and he closed the throttle, selected full flaps, and landed on the remaining runway, but the airplane struck a snow bank at the end of runway 30, and nosed over. According to the pilot, "...The engine ran good before the accident, I checked carburetor heat, and the engine runs good now... ." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7811E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7811E), registered now, S/N 17611, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150) (registry code 2071802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15017611 - Airframe hours: 3453 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John J Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 1997, 0 hours before - Departed: 3B5, ME - Airport: 3B5, Twitchell, runway 30, 2,340 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,748 total, 409 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F ## 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 19970219001699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970219001699A), Feb 19, 1997: Cessna 150, Turner, ME, Substantial damage. Engine problems on takeoff, closed throttle, applied flaps, attempted to land on remaining runway, skidded off end. (.4) according to the pilot, this was the… ## Other investigations on N7811E (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 NYC67D0102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0102), Jul 12, 1966: Cessna 150 (N7811E), Gaithersburg, MD, substantial damage 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.