# NTSB MIA91LA109: Cessna 150M, N704SN, Crystal River, FL, March 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1991, 18:09 local (23:09 UTC)
- Place: Crystal River, FL
- Location: 28.8955° N, 82.6019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Crystal River, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8955&lon=-82.6019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA109

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF POWER BECAUSE OF OIL PUMP FAILURE DUE TO CONTAMINATION. UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL PERFORMED A COMPONENT CHANGE WITHOUT USING APPROPRIATE PUBLICATIONS AND PROCEDURES AND FAILED TO CLEAN CONTAMINANTS FROM THE ENGINE.

## 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
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - contamination
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - failure,total
  - procedures/directives - not followed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE STARTED TO DROP FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO THE TREES.  EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE OIL SCREEN AND PUMP WERE CONTAMINATED AND DAMAGED BY METAL PARTICLES SIMILAR TO STARTER CLUTCH NEEDLE BEARINGS.  THE LAST TIME A CLUTCH WAS REPLACED ON THIS ENGINE WAS BEFORE THE CURRENT OWNER HAD KNOWLEDGE OF IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704SN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704SN-1991-06-29), registration cancelled 1991-06-29, S/N 15078839 (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: 15078839
- Airframe hours: 2915
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Crystal River Aero Group
- Registered owner: Crystal River Aero Group
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1991, 19 hours before
- Airport: X31, Crystal River

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 57 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: TLH, 31 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 19910325007529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910325007529A), Mar 25, 1991: Cessna 150M, Crystal River, FL, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine quit. Landed in trees. Starter clutch needle bearings failed oil pump. Source unknown.

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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