# NTSB NYC00LA030: Cessna 150, N8323G, New Hope, PA, November 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 9, 1999, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: New Hope, PA - Coordinates: 40.359149, -74.949584 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3591&lon=-74.9496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47796 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47796/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA030 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to identify during the preflight that both fuel vents were blocked, resulting in a total 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(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rising ## Analysis The pilot completed three touch-and-goes before departing the traffic pattern and initiating a climb. While passing 900 feet msl, the engine started running rough, and then quit. The pilot identified a field which appeared to be flat. He maneuvered the airplane for the field, touching down smoothly. During roll out, the airplane encountered rising terrain. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tank vents were blocked by mud deposited from insects. In addition, the carburetor bowl was empty. After removing the filler caps from both fuel tanks the carburetor bowl filled with fuel. With the engine still attached to the airframe, an engine run was performed. The engine started , and operated 'normally.' The owner's manual states that during a preflight to check both fuel tank vents for blockage. ## Factual narrative On November 9, 1999, about 1000, eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N8323G, was substantially damage during a forced landing in New Hope, Pennsylvania. The pilot, who was not injured, held a private pilot certificate with a glider rating, and was working on a single engine airplane rating. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo flight that originated from the Twin Pine Airport, Pennington, New Jersey. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot he arrived at the airport about 0845, the day of the accident, and began to preflight the airplane. During the preflight he noticed no anomalies. He remembered both fuel tanks were half full, and that they corresponded to the fuel quantity gauges inside the cockpit. The pilot then boarded the airplane, and started the engine on the first attempt. He let the engine warm-up before taxiing short of runway 30 to complete the engine run-up checks. The run-up checks were normal, and the pilot taxied the airplane onto the runway. He then completed three touch-and-goes before departing the traffic pattern. Because of a local agreement with air traffic control the pilot climbed to 500 feet msl, then to 800 feet msl, before starting a climb to 1,500 feet msl. While climbing through 900 feet msl, the engine started running rough. The pilot applied carburetor heat but the problem persisted. Unable to maintain altitude the pilot identified a field which appeared to be flat. He maneuvered the airplane to the field, and then experienced a total loss of power. The airplane touched down smoothly, but then encountered rising terrain. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the engine primer was found in the unlocked position, and the fuel tank vents were blocked by mud deposited from insects. In addition, the carburetor bowl was empty. After the Inspector removed the filler caps from both fuel tanks the carburetor bowl filled with fuel. With the engine still attached to the airframe, the Inspector performed an engine run. The engine started , and operated "normally." The owner's manual states that during a preflight to check both fuel tank vents for blockage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8323G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8323G), registered now, S/N 15062423, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15062423 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William P Newbold - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1998, 124 hours before - Departed: N75, PENNINGTON, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 45 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TTN, 10 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 19991109040239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991109040239A), Nov 9, 1999: Cessna 150F, New Hope, PA, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot completed three touch-and-goes before departing the traffic pattern and initiating a climb. While passing 900 feet MSL, the engine started… ## Other investigations on N8323G (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 FTW66F0677](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0677), May 21, 1966: Cessna 150F (N8323G), Greenville, TX, 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. --- 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.