# NTSB SEA96LA194: Piper PA-20, N150KS, Mulino, OR, August 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1996, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Mulino, OR - Coordinates: 45.199699, -122.540969 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1997&lon=-122.5410&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42447 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42447/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA194 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, emergency landing - remedial action - intentional, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot was performing a series of touch-and-go landings. While climbing after his 5th tough-and-go, the engine lost power at about 150-200 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on the remaining available runway, but there was insufficient runway remaining to stop. The pilot performed an intentional nose-over near the end of the runway in order to avoid rolling off a steep drop-off to a river about 100 feet below. Inspection and running of the engine did not reveal the reason for the loss of engine power. Sufficient fuel for the flight was available in the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 1996, approximately 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N150KS, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power while climbing out at Mulino, Oregon, during a series of touch-and-go landings. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot stated that while practicing touch-and-go landings, he was climbing out on his fifth touch-and-go, when the engine quit at about 150-200 feet above ground level. He said that up until the time the engine failed all instrument indications were normal, and the loss of power was sudden. The pilot stated that he pushed the nose down to prevent a stall and set the airplane down approximated 60-70 feet from the end of the runway. At that point, his groundspeed was too great to prevent the aircraft from going off the end of the runway. Less then 100 feet from the end of the runway is a sheer drop into the Mulino river. He said that full left braking failed to turn the aircraft because of excessive speed. He stated that he was forced to push the yoke forward while applying both brakes full to flip the aircraft on its back, in order to prevent going over the cliff. The airplane came to a rest approximate 30 feet from the edge. After recovery, the engine was test run in the aircraft and operated normally. The fuel tanks had been filled within the previous hour or so of flight time. No anomalies were found to explain the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N150KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N150KS), registered now, S/N 20-678, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-678 - Airframe hours: 4848 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: James K. Warnock - Registered owner: James E. Warnock - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1996, 85 hours before - Departed: 4S9 - Airport: 4S9, Mulino, runway 14, 3,600 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 102 total, 41 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19960818023189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960818023189A), Aug 18, 1996: Piper PA20, Mulino, OR, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed last 100FT runway. Nosed over to prevent overrun into river. Cause power loss unknown 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.