# NTSB LAX98FA219: Cessna 150, N1706Q, Apple Valley, CA, July 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1998, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Apple Valley, CA - Coordinates: 34.570339, -117.149688 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5703&lon=-117.1497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 79-10-14 R1](https://openairdocs.org/ad/79-10-14-R1) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 29959 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98FA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29959/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA219 ## Probable cause The improper installation of unvented fuel caps that resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - fuel system - starvation (cause) - fuel system,cap - improper (cause) - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The student pilot was on his last solo cross-country flight before his private pilot check ride. About 48 minutes into the flight, the engine started to run roughly and subsequently lost power. The airplane was 13 miles from an airport, which the pilot tried to reach. He landed short of the runway and collided with an airport security fence. Postaccident examination of the fuel system revealed noncompliance with airworthiness directive 79-10-14R1 and Cessna Service Bulletin SE77-6 requiring the installation of vented fuel caps. The pilot stated that during the preflight check the airplane had been refueled. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 12, 1998, about 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150, N1706Q, operated by F.A.S.T. Inc., El Monte, California, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Apple Valley, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during cruise. The student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the training solo cross-country flight under 14 CFR Part 91 and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at El Monte on the morning of the accident about 1042. The pilot stated that after passing through Cajon Pass, California, he contacted Hi-Desert Approach Control for flight advisories. About 13 miles southwest of Apple Valley the engine started running roughly and subsequently quit. He advised approach control of the problem and attempted to reach Apple Valley airport. The aircraft landed short of runway 36 and collided with a security fence. The pilot stated that during his preflight check the airplane had been refueled. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The day of the accident the student pilot stated that he had about 40 hours total flight time, and this was his last solo cross-country flight before his private check ride. The operator stated that he had 60 hours. Billing records indicate 60.6 hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to logbook information and instrument readings, the aircraft had operated a total of 86 hours since the last 100-hour inspection. The accident flight had operated for about 48 minutes. According to airframe logbook No. 2, the last annual inspection was performed on October 8, 1997; however, the airframe logbook was not signed, and the engine log was signed as an annual inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1051, the METAR report for Daggett, California was: winds 270 degrees at 9 knots; visibility 50 miles; sky clear; temperature 91 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 43 degrees Fahrenheit; and the altimeter was 29.99 inHg. TESTS AND RESEARCH INFORMATION On July 15, 1998, representatives from the Safety Board, Cessna Aircraft, and Teledyne Continental Motors performed a postaccident examination of the aircraft and the engine. The complete fuel and fuel vent systems were examined. Nonvented fuel caps were found installed on the airplane. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive 79-10-14R1 and Cessna Service Bulletin SE77-6, the purpose of the vented fuel caps is "To provide an alternate source of fuel tank venting in case of fuel tank vent obstruction by foreign material and/or sticking of the fuel vent valve." Both magnetos were successfully functional tested on a magneto test bench. The carburetor was taken to an FAA approved repair station for visual examination. No abnormalities were observed. The ignition switch was removed, functional tested, opened and examined, and found to be operational. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Safety Board did not take possession of the wreckage. The operator failed to return the Safety Board's Pilot/Operator Accident Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1706Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1706Q-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 15073006, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15073006 - Airframe hours: 2652 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: F.A.S.T., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 14, 1998, 86 hours before - Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA - Destination: IFP, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DAG, 26 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 19980712016419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980712016419A), Jul 12, 1998: Cessna 150L, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (.4) The student pilot was on his last solo cross-country flight before his private check ride. About 48 minutes into the flight, the engine started to run… ## Other investigations on N1706Q (2) 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 LAX88LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA098), Jan 26, 1988: Cessna 150L (N1706Q), Diamond Springs, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW73DPA19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DPA19), Nov 28, 1972: Cessna 150 (N1706Q), Greenville, TX, 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.