# NTSB MKC88LA030: Cessna 150H, N23303, Siloam Springs, AR, December 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1987, 19:00 local (Dec 18, 1987, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Siloam Springs, AR
- Coordinates: 36.180221, -94.540031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1802&lon=-94.5400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA030

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - mixture - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - mixture - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ON DOWNWIND, THE PILOT THOUGHT HE WAS PULLING ON THE CARBURETOR HEAT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY POWER ON FINAL AND FOUND THE ENGINE WAS WINDMILLING. THE PILOT FOUND HE HAD PULLED THE MIXTURE INSTEAD OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, OFF AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES, THE TERRAIN, AND NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23303](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23303), registered now, S/N 15068861, 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: 150-68861
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth R. Niccum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TULSA, OK
- Airport: SLG, Smith, runway 18, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 56 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19871217070349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871217070349A), Dec 17, 1987: Cessna 150H, Siloam Springs, AR, Substantial damage. Pulled mixture on downwind instead of carburetor heat. No power on final. Hit trees and ground short of the runway.

## Other investigations on N23303 (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 FTW99LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA066), Jan 10, 1999: Cessna 150H (N23303), Conway, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice during the approach to land. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB CHI75FEV30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEV30), Apr 12, 1975: Cessna 150H (N23303), Pittsfield, IL, 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.

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