# NTSB NYC89LA202: Cessna 150H, N50294, Northeast, PA, August 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1989, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Northeast, PA
- Coordinates: 42.210483, -79.830131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2105&lon=-79.8301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA202

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO AN OVER-RICH ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE COMBINATION OF AN OVER-RICH RUNNING ENGINE AND THE PILOT'S PUMPING OF THE THROTTLE DURING THE RECOVERY ATTEMPT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FLOOD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - emergency procedure - simulated, copilot/second pilot
  - fuel system,carburetor - undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE LEFT SEAT PILOT WAS PREPARING FOR HIS BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW. AFTER TAKEOFF, AT 800FT AGL, THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT INDUCED A POWER LOSS USING THE MIXTURE. WHEN THE MIXTURE WAS RETURNED TO RICH BY THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT, THE PILOT IN THE LEFT SEAT PUMPED THE THROTTLE. POWER WAS NOT REGAINED AND AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE IN A GRAPE VINEYARD. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION SHOWED THE ENGINE WOULD RUN O.K. AT FULL POWER. HOWEVER, IF A MIXTURE CUT WAS ALLOWED TO DROP BELOW 1500 RPM, IT WOULD NOT RECOVER WHEN THE MIXTURE WAS PUT BACK TO RICH. THE EXHAUST STACKS EXHIBITED EXTREME RICH MIXTURE BURN COLOR. THE CARB FLOAT LEVEL OR METERING JETS MAY HAVE BEEN OUT OF TOLERANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50294](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50294-1992-08-20), registration cancelled 1992-08-20, S/N 15069203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069204
- Airframe hours: 2880
- Engines: Teledyne Cont O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Moorheadville Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 6, 1989
- Airport: PAV8, Moorhead

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 118 total, 118 in this make and model, 107 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890825032199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890825032199A), Aug 25, 1989: Cessna 150H, North East, PA, Substantial damage. Two private pilots practice for biennial pulled mixture on takeoff. Unable to restart.

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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