# NTSB MIA95LA191: Cessna 150L, N1774Q, Holly Springs, MS, August 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1995, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Holly Springs, MS - Coordinates: 34.770469, -89.440803 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7705&lon=-89.4408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37805 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37805/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA191 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot-in-command to insure the oil dip stick was secure prior to departure resulting in loss of engine oil, overheating of the engine, and loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - lubricating system,oil filler cap - not secured (cause) - fluid,oil - exhaustion - engine assembly - overtemperature - engine assembly,cylinder - fouled - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot reported the engine lost power while climbing shortly after a touch and go landing. A forced landing was made in a wooded area. Post crash examination showed the oil dip stick was lying loose in the engine compartment and the engine contained no oil. No evidence of post crash oil leakage was found. Examination of the engine showed the exhaust pipes had been heated excessively and the nos. 2 and 3 cylinder valves were held open due to excessive carbon buildup. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 1995, about 1740 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N1774Q, registered to a private individual, and operated by Memphis East Aviation, Inc., lost engine power and made a forced landing in a wooded area at Holly Springs, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the student pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Arlington, Tennessee, on August 2, 1995, about 1700. The pilot stated he flew from Arlington to Holly Springs, Mississippi, where he performed a touch-and-go landing, and planned to return to Arlington. During climbout from the touch-go-landing, upon reaching an altitude of 150 feet, the engine lost power. He made a forced landing in a wooded area. Postcrash examination of the aircraft and engine by an FAA inspector and representatives of the operator showed the oil dip stick was lying loose in the engine compartment. No oil was present in the engine and no evidence of postcrash oil leakage was found. The exhaust stacks showed evidence of having been excessively heated. The Nos. 2 and 3 cylinder valves were being held open by excessive carbon build up, causing low cylinder compression. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1774Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1774Q-1998-04-03), registration cancelled 1998-04-03, S/N 15073074 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15073074 - Airframe hours: 3082 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Memphis East Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Milton D. Morton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1995, 10 hours before - Departed: LHC, ARLINGTON, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 48 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 7 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 16 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 19950802021639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950802021639A), Aug 2, 1995: Cessna 150L, Holly Springs, MS, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed in trees. No oil. Dipstick not installed. Engine showed poor maintenance. 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.