# NTSB LAX92LA124: Cessna 150, N126NK, San Jose, CA, February 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1992, 19:40 local (Feb 23, 1992, 03:40 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.330718, -121.770912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3307&lon=-121.7709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA124

## 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

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - fractured (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - loss,partial
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rising

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073390
- Airframe hours: 3565
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 24; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920222003379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920222003379A), Feb 22, 1992: Cessna 150L, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Lost partial power on takeoff. Made 180 to land reverse direction. Overshot. Tried go around. Crashed off airport.

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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