# NTSB LAX99LA155: Cessna 150H, N22710, Yuba City, CA, April 18, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1999, 09:14 local (16:14 UTC) - Place: Yuba City, CA - Coordinates: 39.050163, -121.609695 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0502&lon=-121.6097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46139 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46139/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA155 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power resulting from the fatigue failure of a cylinder's exhaust valve. A contributing factor was the uneven terrain at the forced landing site. The reason for the fatigue could not be determined. ## 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, cruise - normal - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - fatigue (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis While cruising, the pilot felt a 'bump,' and the engine began losing power. The pilot applied carburetor heat and adjusted the mixture control, but this action had no effect. The engine progressively lost all power until the propeller eventually just windmilled. The pilot made a forced landing in a wheat field. During rollout, the airplane encountered uneven terrain and nosed over. The pilot owned and operated the airplane. He reported that the airframe's total time was about 8,798.6 hours. The engine had been operated for 1,818.9 hours since being overhauled, and 133.4 hours since its last inspection. An examination of the engine revealed its No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve was fatigued and broken. No other engine related malfunctions were observed. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1999, at 0914 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150H, N22710, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a loss of engine power en route to Shelter Cove, California. The pilot made a forced landing in a wheat field near Yuba City, California. During rollout, the airplane encountered uneven terrain, nosed over, and was substantially damaged. The airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from the uncontrolled Sutter County Airport in Yuba City, at 0856. The pilot indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he was familiar with the operation of his airplane. He holds a certified flight instructor certificate and reported having over 10,275 hours of flight time. According to the pilot, following a normal takeoff he climbed to 2,000 feet mean sea level and began cruising toward his destination. After a few minutes, he felt a "bump," and the engine began losing power. However, no unusual vibrations were detected. The pilot stated that despite his application of carburetor heat and adjustment of the mixture control, the engine progressively lost all power until the propeller was eventually just windmilling. In the pilot's completed report, he indicated that his airplane's total time was 8,798.6 hours. The engine had been operated for 1,818.9 hours since being overhauled, and 133.4 hours since its last inspection. The Federal Aviation Administration coordinator verbally reported to the Safety Board investigator that an examination of the engine revealed its No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve was fatigued and broken. No other engine related malfunctions were observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22710](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22710-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 15068464, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150H - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15068464 - Airframe hours: 8799 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John P. Creel, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1998, 133 hours before - Departed: O52, CA - Destination: 0Q5, SHELTER COVE, CA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,275 total, 1,205 in this make and model, 10,275 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BAB, 15 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 19990418042109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990418042109A), Apr 18, 1999: Cessna 150H, Yuba City, CA, Substantial damage. (.4)While cruising, the pilot felt a 'bump,' and the engine began losing power. The pilot applied carburetor heat and adjusted the mixture control, but this… 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.