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NTSB Report

April 18, 1998 · Cessna 150J · N50566

Canton, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1998
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Canton, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 150J
Tail Number
N50566
Operator
A Different Approach
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA131

The aircraft was on an instructional flight and had just taken off from a stop-and-go landing. The instructor pilot reported that during climb there was a power interruption prior to impact, and he initiated a forced landing in a residential area, and that at no time did he feel that the engine power had returned. Subsequent to the accident, an examination of the airplane and engine failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies other than those associated with the impact and post accident fire. He initiated a forced landing in a residential area. Ground scars related with the initial impact were noted on a residential street. The aircraft then proceeded through a boulevard colliding with a mailbox and leaving horizontal slashes in the concrete sidewalk consistent with propeller strikes. The aircraft then came to rest in a driveway with the main landing gear bent aft. The propeller showed evidence of rotation with chordwise scratching and nicks. One blade of the propeller was broken off and was located about one city block away from the wreckage. The blade had a curled tip and also evidence of chordwise scratching.

NTSB Probable Cause

The undetermined loss of power reported by the pilot. Contributing factors were the residential nature of the landing area and unsuitable landing terrain.

Full Narrative

On April 18, 1998, at 1830 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N50556, registered to a corporation, sustained substantial damage during an off airport landing and post accident fire. The accident occurred about one mile south of the airport. The pilot said that there was a power interruption prior to impact, and he initiated a forced landing in a residential area. The instructor and student received serious injuries. The instructional 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight originally departed Willow Run Airport, at Ypsilanti, Michigan, exact time unknown, and was conducting full stop and taxi back landings and takeoffs at the nearby Canton-Mettetal Airport. The instructor said that at the time of the accident they were returning to Willow Run. The pilot said that they were conducting full stop landings and taxi backs for departure at Canton-Mettetal. He said that they were on their sixth takeoff and had decided to return to Willow Run. He said that during the previous landings and takeoffs there was no problem with the airplane. He said that the carburetor heat was used on all previous landings and removed during the taxi and takeoffs. He said that the airplane was topped off with fuel prior to departure from Willow Run. He said that the airplane had been in operation a total of approximately 45 minutes at the time of the accident. He said that while in climb the engine lost power, and he realized that a forced landing would have to be made in a residential area. He said that about five to ten seconds prior to touchdown he lowered the flaps to full down. He said that at no time did he feel that the engine power had returned. He did not recall the impact. An examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that initial ground scars were on a residential street and coincided with the position and damage to the left wingtip. The airplane continued into the boulevard where a mailbox was knocked out of the ground. The airplane continued in a gradual turn to the left and there were three horizontal slashes in the concrete sidewalk consistent with propeller strikes. The airplane continued forward coming to rest in a driveway. The landing gear was failed with the main landing gear bent aft. The fuselage was fractured circumfrentially at the baggage compartment and the firewall was separated from the front of the fuselage with the nose bent down. An engine fire started after the airplane came to rest. When the airplane was removed from the accident site 18 gallons of fuel was removed from the airplane prior to transporting the wreckage. An examination of the airplane revealed fuel was present in the fuel selector and fuel lines to the carburetor. There was thumb compression on all four cylinders. Continuity was established through the flight and engine controls. There were no anomalies found that were attributed to other than impact and fire damage. One propeller blade was broken. The broken end was found about one city block away from the wreckage, in the front yard of a residence. The piece displayed nicks and chordwise scratches. The outboard end of the blade was curled back.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150J
Tail NumberN50566
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorA Different Approach
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data