# NTSB MIA08LA204: Cessna 150, N4477U, Falmouth, KY, September 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 2008, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Falmouth, KY - Coordinates: 38.702499, -84.38861 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7025&lon=-84.3886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69022/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69022 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA204 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, on the day before the accident, the airplane had about one-quarter to one-half tank of fuel, and the pilot fueled the airplane with 8 gallons of fuel. He then flew the airplane about 45 minutes, leaving a net increase of 3 gallons of fuel. On the day of the accident, the pilot visually checked the fuel tanks and the fuel gauges which indicated that each tank was about one-half full. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing into a stand of trees. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the accident site found no evidence of fuel odor. However, two witnesses stated that when the airplane was removed from the accident site, a substantial amount of fuel drained out of one of the fuel tanks. Based on the design of the fuel system, the wings likely contained nearly equal amounts of fuel at the time of the accident. Furthermore, based on the fuel consumption chart in the pilot operating handbook, the airplane had sufficient fuel to make this flight. ## Factual narrative On September 28, 2008, about 1310 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150D, N4477U, registered to a private individual, collided with trees while attempting a forced landing following a loss of engine power, in Falmouth, Kentucky. The airline transport pilot and passenger reported minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from the Gene Snyder Airport (K62), Falmouth, Kentucky, a few minutes before the accident. According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff the airplane’s engine suddenly ran rough for a couple of seconds and then stopped. The pilot "verified mixture-rich, fuel selector-on and manipulated the throttle." Almost immediately thereafter, the stall warning horn sounded. He began a slow left descent, in the direction of a field. He maneuvered the airplane towards the tops of some nearby trees. The airplane came to rest on the ground near the trees, about one mile from K62. An initial examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane came to rest in a nose down attitude in a stand of trees, damaging the wings, cockpit, engine and empennage. On-scene examination found no evidence of fuel odor or fuel spillage. About 4 ounces of fuel was removed from the fuel gascolator and sump drain. About one ounce of a liquid, not blue in color, was removed from a fuel line while the airplane was at the accident site. Two witnesses reported that a substantial amount of fuel ran out of the left wing when it was inverted during recovery. Examination of the propeller found one blade bent aft and the other blade straight, and no rotational scoring signatures on the blade surfaces. Examination of the airplane’s fuel records and the pilot’s interview found that, on the day before the accident, the airplane had between one-quarter and one-half tank of fuel and that eight gallons of fuel (four gallons in each wing tank) were added just before a 45-minute flight by the accident pilot on September 27, 2008. On the day of the accident, the pilot stated that he visually checked the fuel tanks and the fuel gauges, which he stated showed about one-half tank of fuel in each wing. Examination of the engine and airframe by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. According to the Cessna 1964 Model 150 owners manual, under section 5, “Operational Data,” cruise performance with a lean mixture, at an altitude of 2500 feet, and with the engine power setting of 2700 revolutions per minute, fuel consumption would be 7.2 gallons per hour. This fuel consumption data does not take into account takeoff and climb to cruise power settings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4477U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4477U-2018-02-14), registration cancelled 2018-02-14, S/N 15060477, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15060477 - Airframe hours: 3788 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2008, 8 hours before - Departed: K62, Falmouth, KY - Destination: K62, Falmouth, KY - Airport: K62, Gene Snyder Airport, runway 03, 3,994 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 4, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 6,212 total, 32 in this make and model, 4,322 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: CVG, 25 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 20080928847949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080928847949A), Sep 28, 2008: Cessna 150D, Falmouth, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot departed K62 on a pleasure flight with his son. Immediately after takeoff (estimated 200 ft AGL) pilot stated engine lost power. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N4477U (1) 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 MKC73DCQ16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCQ16), Oct 3, 1972: Cessna 150D (N4477U), Great Bend, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (24 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69022. 18.9 MB in all. - Original Factual Report (item 1, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Original%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 847 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies; Pilot's interview summary. (item 3, .PDF, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies;%20Pilot%27s%20interview%20summary.-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; Aircraft owners manual. (item 4, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317388&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20Aircraft%20owners%20manual.-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; Fuel Receipt. (item 5, .PDF, 701 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317389&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20Fuel%20Receipt.-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 6, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1; FAA digital of aircraft as observed onscene. (item 7, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317392&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201;%20FAA%20digital%20of%20aircraft%20as%20observed%20onscene.-Master.PDF - Photo 2; FAA digital of aircraft on left side. (item 8, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317393&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202;%20FAA%20digital%20of%20aircraft%20on%20left%20side.-Master.PDF - Photo 3; FAA digital of one ounce of fuel drained from fuel line. (item 9, .PDF, 980 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317394&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203;%20FAA%20digital%20of%20one%20ounce%20of%20fuel%20drained%20from%20fuel%20line.-Master.PDF - Photo 4; FAA digital tree impact damage to wing. (item 10, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204;%20FAA%20digital%20tree%20impact%20damage%20to%20wing.-Master.PDF - Petition for Reconsideration - Mark Martin (item 11, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Petition%20for%20Reconsideration%20-%20Mark%20Martin-Redacted.PDF - PFR - Engine Examination Notes (item 12, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378020&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PFR%20-%20Engine%20Examination%20Notes%20-Master.PDF - PFR - Memorandum for Record - Airplane Owner, Witness, and FAA inspector (item 13, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378022&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PFR%20-%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Airplane%20Owner,%20Witness,%20and%20FAA%20inspector-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 (PFR): Picture of Fuel Line On-Scene (item 14, .PDF, 955 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20(PFR)%3A%20Picture%20of%20Fuel%20Line%20On-Scene-Master.PDF - Photo 2 (PFR): Picture of Fuel Taken On-Scene (item 15, .PDF, 904 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20(PFR)%3A%20Picture%20of%20Fuel%20Taken%20On-Scene-Master.PDF - Photo 3 (PFR): Picture of Fuel Taken On-Scene (item 16, .PDF, 972 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20(PFR)%3A%20Picture%20of%20Fuel%20Taken%20On-Scene-Master.PDF - Photo 4 (PFR): Picture of Right Wing (item 17, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20(PFR)%3A%20Picture%20of%20Right%20Wing%20-Master.PDF - Photo 5 (PFR): Picture of Fuel Sump Drain (item 18, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20(PFR)%3A%20Picture%20of%20Fuel%20Sump%20Drain-Master.PDF - Photo 6 (PFR): Picture of Fuel Jar (Top View) (item 19, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20(PFR)%3A%20Picture%20of%20Fuel%20Jar%20(Top%20View)-Master.PDF - Photo 7 (PFR): Picture of Fuel Jar (Side View) (item 20, .PDF, 990 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207%20(PFR)%3A%20Picture%20of%20Fuel%20Jar%20(Side%20View)-Master.PDF - Photo 8 (PFR): Picture of Fuel Strainer (item 21, .PDF, 996 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208%20(PFR)%3A%20Picture%20of%20Fuel%20Strainer-Master.PDF - Photo 9 (PFR): Picture of Left Wing (item 22, .PDF, 995 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209%20(PFR)%3A%20Picture%20of%20Left%20Wing-Master.PDF - Original brief of accident (item 23, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Original%20brief%20of%20accident-Master.PDF - Response to Petition for Reconsideration (item 24, .PDF, 947 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Response%20to%20Petition%20for%20Reconsideration-Redacted.PDF 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.