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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 18, 1996 · Piper PA-20 · N150KS

Mulino, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mulino, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-20
Tail Number
N150KS
Operator
James K Warnock
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA194

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 PDT
Nearest AirportMULINO (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length3600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-20
Tail NumberN150KS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames K Warnock
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 18 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data