# NTSB NYC02LA180: Cessna 150, N60425, Louisa, VA, August 29, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 2002, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Louisa, VA - Coordinates: 38.009723, -77.970275 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0097&lon=-77.9703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55612 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55612/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA180 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The student taxied onto the runway, applied full power, the engine responded, and the airplane accelerated as expected. After climbing through approximately 50 feet agl, the engine suddenly lost all power. The instructor took the controls, set the airplane back down onto the runway, and applied maximum braking. The airplane overran the end of the runway, impacted a small ditch that was concealed by grass, and nosed over. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions. In addition, three different engine runs were performed with the engine on the accident airplane, and no anomalies were identified. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2002, about 1715 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N60425, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at the Louisa County Airport, Louisa, Virginia. The certificated flight instructor sustained serious injuries, and the student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight. A flight plan was not filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the instructor, he met with the student about 1700. They preflighted the airplane together, noted no anomalies, and then boarded. The engine started on the first attempt, and the student taxied the airplane short of runway 27, where the engine runup checks were completed. No anomalies were noted, and after about a 5-minute delay, the student taxied the airplane onto the runway. The student applied full power, the engine responded, and the airplane accelerated as expected. When the airspeed indicator reached approximately 65 mph, the airplane lifted off. After climbing through approximately 50 feet agl, the engine suddenly lost all power. The instructor took the controls, set the airplane back down onto the runway, and applied maximum braking. The airplane overran the end of the runway, impacted a small ditch that was concealed by grass, nosed over, and came to a stop. The instructor and student then exited. About 2 minutes later, the instructor collapsed, and was medivaced to a local hospital. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the left fuel tank contained approximately 5 gallons of fuel, the right contained approximately 6 gallons, no contaminants were identified in the fuel system, and the fuel selector was in the "OFF" position. Examination of the sparkplug electrodes revealed they were gray in color and absent of debris. During the examination, no preimpact failures or malfunctions were identified. In addition, a witness reported that the fuel selector was moved by rescue personnel. With the engine on the accident airplane, three different engine runs were performed on September 13, 2002. During the first run, the engine started, and ran for approximately 1 minute before being shut down because of a low oil pressure indication. A broken oil pressure indication line was identified and replaced. The second engine run lasted about 5 minutes, and was limited to 1,200 rpm because of propeller damage. The third engine run also lasted about 5 minutes, was limited to 1,200 rpm, and a magneto check was performed. Once again, no anomalies were noted, and the engine was shutdown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60425](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60425), registered now, S/N 15070297, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15070297 - Airframe hours: 5828 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dominion Air Charter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 24, 2002, 60.6 hours before - Departed: LKU, Louisa, VA - Destination: LKU - Airport: LKU, Louisa Co./Freeman, runway 27, 4,301 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 77; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 28, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 17,500 total, 17,500 as pilot in command - Student pilot; injuries: minor; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: LKU ## 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 20020829037729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020829037729A), Aug 29, 2002: Cessna 150J, Louisa, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) At 1700 local, on August 29, 2002, N60425, Cessna, CE-150-J, was attempting to take-off from Louisa county airport, VA (lku) when the aircraft went off… 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.