# NTSB LAX92LA368: Cessna 150M, N211AF, Temecula, CA, August 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1992, 15:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Temecula, CA
- Location: 33.4936° N, 117.1484° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Temecula, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4936&lon=-117.1484&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA368
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA368

## Probable cause

THE SHUTDOWN OF THE ENGINE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE MUFFLER AND THE RESULTING HEAT INDUCED SHORTING OF THE MAGNETO GROUND WIRES, AND THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION OF THE MUFFLER AND THE ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - exhaust system,muffler - eroded (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - exhaust system,muffler - burst (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - melted (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - shorted (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT SAID THAT DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT COMPLETELY WITH A LOUD NOISE. THE INSTRUCTOR LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN A FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AFTER COLLIDING WITH A BERM. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE REAR DOME OF THE LEFT MUFFLER HAD BLOWN OUT. SCORCHING AND EXHAUST STAINS WERE EVIDENT ON THE FIREWALL TO THE REAR OF THE MUFFLER AND WIRE BUNDLES ROUTED IN THIS AREA WERE FOUND BURNED WITH MELTED INSULATION NOTED. THE 'P' LEADS FOR THE MAGNETOS WERE FOUND ROUTED IN THIS WIRE BUNDLE. VISUAL EXAMINATION AND ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY CHECKS OF THE 'P' LEADS REVEALED THAT THE INTERNAL INSULATION HAD MELTED ALLOWING THE CONDUCTORS TO SHORT WITHIN THE WIRES. EXAMINATION OF THE MUFFLER REVEALED SEVERE INTERNAL EROSION, WITH HOLES THROUGH THE CABIN HEAT SHROUD. THE FAILED END OF THE MUFFLER WAS FOUND TO BE SEVERELY ERODED AROUND THE FAILURE POINT ON THE END PIECE, WITH SMALL HOLES AND EXTERNAL DISCOLORATION NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N211AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211AF-1992-11-04), registration cancelled 1992-11-04, S/N 15076287 (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: 15076287
- Airframe hours: 12024
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A48B 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Armed Forces Flying Club
- Registered owner: Armed Forces Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 28, 1992, 87 hours before
- Departed: F70
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,360 total, 170 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 158 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920828034069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920828034069A), Aug 28, 1992: Cessna 150M, Temecula, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climb to cruise. Smoke in cockpit. Nosed over landing. Muffler blew out. Corroded. Heat melted p leads

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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