# NTSB LAX83LA375: Cessna 150M, N714QA, Palo Alto, CA, August 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1983, 09:14 local (16:14 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450069, -122.099288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4501&lon=-122.0993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23813
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA375
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23813/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA375

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER IN A MARSH DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE. THIS WAS A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. THE PLT SAID HE WAS DESCENDING FOR A LANDING AT PALO ALTO WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO 'LOSE POWER AND RUN ROUGH.' CARBURETOR HEAT DID NOT WORK AND WHEN THROTTLE WAS ADDED THE VIBRATION INCREASED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE NORTH OF THE ARPT. A POST ACCIDENT TEAR DOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A FAILURE OF THE #1 CONNECTING ROD END CAP. THIS AND PARTS OF THE PISTON RING SECTIONS AND A CONNECTING ROD BEARING WERE FOUND IN THE OIL SUMP. #2 CYLINDER WAS FOUND BATTERED AND DENTED. #3 AND #4 CYLINDERS WERE NORMAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N714QA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N714QA-1983-12-08), registration cancelled 1983-12-08, S/N 15079340 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15079340
- Airframe hours: 4608
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A48 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Stanford Flying Club
- Registered owner: 4qa Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983, 358 hours before
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 39 total, 39 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO, 6 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 19830807039359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830807039359A), Aug 7, 1983: Cessna 150M, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine vibrated and quit. Flipped over landing in a swamp. Connecting rod failure caused extensive engine 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.

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