# NTSB SEA98LA193: Cessna T-50, N6HS, Missoula, MT, September 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 27, 1998, 09:25 local (15:25 UTC) - Place: Missoula, MT - Coordinates: 46.899478, -113.920509 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8995&lon=-113.9205&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 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44141/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA193 ## Probable cause A quick drain was open due to the pilot's inadequate preflight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,drain - open (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the right engine lost power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and landed the airplane in an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence. Witnesses reported that fuel was observed flowing from the right engine lower nacelle as the pilot was starting the engines in preparation for taxi and departure. One witness approached the aircraft and told the pilot of this situation. The pilot disregarded this information and proceeded to start the right engine and taxi to the runway. After the accident, fuel was observed flowing from the right engine. A fireman opened the access panel and found that the gascolator quick drain was locked in the open position. The fireman turned the mechanism 90 degrees and the drain sprang shut. The fuel flow then stopped. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 1998, at 0925 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T-50, N6HS, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing shortly after takeoff from the Missoula International Airport, Missoula, Montana. During the landing roll in a field, the airplane collided with a fence. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight was en route to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. In a written statement, the pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the right engine lost power. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain altitude and continued straight ahead, and landed the airplane in a pasture. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence before coming to rest. The pilot stated that after the accident, fuel was observed running from the right engine drain valve. Witnesses reported that fuel was observed flowing from the right engine lower nacelle as the pilot was starting the engines in preparation for taxi and departure. One witness approached the aircraft and told the pilot of this situation. The pilot disregarded this information and proceeded to start the right engine and taxi to the runway. After the accident, fire department personnel observed fuel flowing from the right engine. One fireman reported that he opened the access panel and found that the gascolator quick drain was locked in the open position. The fireman turned the mechanism 90 degrees and the drain sprang shut. The fuel flow then stopped. After the aircraft was moved to the airport, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Helena, Montana, Flight Standards District Office inspected the gascolator quick drain. The inspector found that the mechanism operated with no mechanical failures or malfunctions noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6HS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6HS), registered now, S/N 3696, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T-50 - Registry model: [Cessna T-50](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t-50) (registry code 2071302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3696 - Airframe hours: 3011 - Engines: Jacobs R755-9 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William B. Stookey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1998, 31 hours before - Destination: COE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 36,180 total, 100 in this make and model, 35,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - 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 19980927034599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980927034599A), Sep 27, 1998: Cessna T50, Missoula, MT, Substantial damage. On September 27, 1998, at 0925 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T-50, N6HS, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR part 91 personal flight,… 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.