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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 6, 2003 · Cessna 150J · N60571

Farmington, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Farmington, NM
Aircraft
Cessna 150J
Tail Number
N60571
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA149

The pilot stated that he was preparing to land on runway 07. He said he did not pull the carburetor heat on until after the turn to final. At that point, the engine "suffered a loss of power" but, it did not "miss or sputter." As the airplane descended below runway elevation, he attempted to land in the only available clear area. The airplane impacted the terrain and nosed over, separating the engine and substantially damaging the empennage. According to carburetor icing charts, the weather conditions were conducive for "serious" carburetor icing at any power setting.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper procedures/directives, and the delayed activation of carburetor heat which resulted in the loss of engine power and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing factors include the carburetor icing conditions, and the rough/uneven and drop-off/descending terrain.

Full Narrative

On September 6, 2003, at 0801 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N60571, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing at Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN), Farmington, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Aztec, New Mexico, at approximately 0740. According to the tower operator at FMN, as the airplane was entering a left base for runway 07, an expletive was heard over the tower frequency and shortly thereafter an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was heard. When emergency personnel arrived at the site, they found the pilot had already pulled himself out of the inverted airplane and was sitting on the wing. Concerned about a possible fuel leak, they asked the pilot if he knew how much fuel was in the [fuel] tanks. The pilot said "we probably don't have to worry about a fuel leak." Although no fuel leak was noted, approximately 9 gallons of fuel was recovered from the fuel tanks. The pilot stated that he entered left downwind and was preparing for a touch-and-go landing on runway 07. He said he did not pull the carburetor heat on until after the turn to final. At that point, the engine "suffered a loss of power" but, it did not "miss or sputter." As the airplane descended below runway elevation, he attempted to land in the only available clear area. The airplane impacted the terrain on the landing gear. When the nose landing gear collapsed, the airplane nosed over and slid approximately 50 feet. The engine was separated from the fuselage, the top of the vertical stabilizer was crushed, and the empennage was buckled. At 0816, the recorded weather conditions at FMN was: wind, 090 degrees at 9 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, clear; temperature, 16 degrees C.; dew point, 11 degrees C.; altimeter setting, 30.22. The calculated density altitude was 6,642 feet msl. According to carburetor icing charts, the weather conditions were conducive for "serious" carburetor icing at any power setting. According to the Cessna 150 pilot's operating handbook (POH), on the "Normal Procedures Checklist" under "Before Landing," item (2) Carburetor Heat, states, "Apply full heat before closing throttle."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:01 MDT
Nearest AirportFour Corners Regional (0nm)
Runway07
Runway Length6704 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150J
Tail NumberN60571
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 52
Altimeter30.21 inHg
Observation Time14:16
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data