- Date
- February 22, 1992, 19:40 local (Feb 23, 1992, 03:40 UTC)
- Place
- San Jose, CA
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N126NKCessna 150
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 26, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920222003379A
- Case key
- 27563
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
That the certified flight instructor's (CFI) misjudged approach which resulted in a long landing, the cfi's in-flight decision to a go-around with partial power, and the failure of the CFI to maintain aircraft control in the initial climb segment of the partial power go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection performed by the operator's maintenance management personnel after the initial stuck valve deficiency and the decision of the CFI to operate the airplane with a known discrepancy.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
A Cessna 150 crashed after experiencing an in flight loss of control. During the initial takeoff on runway 31R the CFI transmitted a 'may day' call to the air traffic control tower stating the airplane had a partial loss of engine power. The local controller cleared the flight to land on any runway. The pilot executed a 180 degree turn and landed long on runway 13L. The CFI then attempted a go-around. Witnesses observed the airplane climb to 50 feet and then enter a right skidding turn, stall, and spin, impacting the ground outside of the airport boundary. The CFI indicated that the airplane's engine had previously malfunctioned with a sticking valve and thought the valve was sticking again. The post accident examiation of the engine revealed the number 4 cylinder rocker arm valve malfunctioned as a result of a fractured rocker arm shaft boss.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N126NK
- Reported as
- Cessna 150
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15073390
- Airframe hours
- 3,565
- Engine
- Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Veda Corporation
- Registered owner
- Veda Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 31, 1991 · 68 hours before
- Airport
- RHV · Reid-Hillview, runway 13, 3,101 × 75 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 24
- Certificates
- Private, Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 1,090 total · 150 in this make and model · 700 as pilot in command · 30 in the last 90 days · 13 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- RHV, 1 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.