Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150 near Venus, TX — 2023-02-18

Final reportCEN23LA114
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Date
2023-02-18
Location
Venus, TX, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 150
Registration
N6536G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor stated that while practicing power off stalls the student pilot added engine power and was retracting the wing flaps when the engine began to lose power. The instructor took control of the airplane and scanned the engine instruments. He noted that oil temperature was in the green range and the oil pressure was 0 psi and blinking in the red. The engine lost total power and the flight instructor performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll out, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Substantial damage was sustained to the empennage and vertical stabilizer. An examination of the airframe and an engine run did not detect any preimpact anomalies that would have contributed to a loss of engine power. The airplane was operating in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power and serious icing at glide power. The instructor reported the use of carburetor heat during the flight training. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined with the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted the stall practice when engine power loss began.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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