Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150J near Argyle, NY — 2017-03-05

Final reportERA17LA120
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Date
2017-03-05
Location
Argyle, NY, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 150J
Registration
N60939
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent impact with trees.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and the student pilot departed for a local flight. After performing several takeoffs and landings, they departed the airport area to perform slow flight and stall maneuvers. While recovering from the second stall maneuver, the engine suddenly lost power completely. The flight instructor attempted to troubleshoot and then restart the engine but was unsuccessful. She performed a forced landing to a field and the airplane was substantially damaged when it struck trees. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine was unable to identify evidence of any mechanical anomalies that would have resulted in the loss of engine power. Additionally, the temperature and dewpoint at the time of the accident were not conducive to the formation of carburetor ice, and the flight instructor stated that they had used carburetor heat during the flight. Based on this evidence, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted the maneuver after the first power-off stall.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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