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NTSB Identification: ANC96LA047. The docket is stored in the (offline) NTSB Imaging System.

Accident occurred Sunday, April 14, 1996 at WASILLA, AK

Aircraft: Cessna 150J, registration: N50529

Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor



Event: 20001208X05496 Status: Final Report Approved On Monday, December 16, 1996



NTSB Preliminary Narrative (6120.19A)



On April 14, 1996, about 1510 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 150J, N50529, crashed about 3 miles south of Wasilla, Alaska.

The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight when the accident occurred. The airplane,

registered to Ed's Air Service, Anchorage, Alaska, and operated by the first pilot, was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot/flight

instructor (first pilot), received serious injuries. The noncertificated student pilot, (second pilot), received minor injuries. Visual meteorological

conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1345.



On April 15, 1996, at 1322, the second pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was considering flight lessons and was receiving a demonstration from the first pilot. The second pilot

occupied the left seat. Prior to departure, the first pilot reported that the airplane engine was hard to start and became flooded. While starting,

flames were observed emanating from the exhaust. The pilot continued cranking the engine and the flames went out. The pilot continued the

engine run-up and departure preparations.



After departure, the first pilot reported that he demonstrated slow flight and a series of turns and stalls, adding carburetor heat control before

each reduction of engine power. During the recovery from the third full flap stall, about 2,400 feet mean sea level (msl), the first pilot lowered

the nose of the airplane and added throttle. The engine did not respond and the propeller stopped. Efforts to restore engine power, including

activating the engine starter were unsuccessful. The pilot selected an emergency landing area on a road but then noticed power lines along the

road. He then performed a landing into trees. The airplane settled to the ground inverted. The first pilot did not recall if he applied carburetor

heat during the emergency descent.



A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) responded to the scene

and reported that fuel was present in the airplane's gascolator. The owner of the airplane responded to the accident scene and reported that

when he arrived, the airplane's master switch and magnetos were off. The fuel selector was in the "on" position. The carburetor heat control

was off. The flaps were retracted.



After the airplane was recovered, an engine examination was conducted on April 16, 1996. The examination revealed engine gear and valve

train continuity. Spark was produced from all towers of each magneto. The carburetor fuel inlet screen was free of contaminants. Fuel was

present in the accelerator pump and dripping from the inlet air filter element. The carburetor's one piece venturi was intact and undamaged.

Engine cylinder compression for the number 1 cylinder was 74/80 psi; cylinder number 2 was 12/80 psi with air heard leaking around the

exhaust valve; cylinder number 3 was 73/80 psi; cylinder number 4 was 73/80 psi. The number 2 cylinder was removed and examined. The

cylinder walls, piston and piston rings were undamaged. Carbon was observed on the exhaust valve seat.



The closest official weather observation station is an automated weather observation system (AWOS) at Wasilla, which is located 3 nautical

miles north of the accident site. At 1454, the AWOS was reporting in part: Sky condition and ceiling, clear below 12,000 feet; visibility, 10 miles;

temperature, 47 degrees F; dew point, 19 degrees F; wind, 180 degrees at 5 knots; altimeter, 29.74 inHg.



NTSB Final Narrative (6120.4)



A certificated flight instructor was providing a flight demonstration to a prospective student. The student occupied the left seat. Prior to

departure, the airplane engine was hard to start and became flooded. While starting, flames were observed emanating from the exhaust. The

pilot continued cranking the engine and the flames went out. After departure, the instructor demonstrated slow flight and a series of turns and

stalls, adding carburetor heat before each reduction of engine power. During the recovery from the third full flap stall, about 2,400 feet mean

sea level (msl), the first pilot lowered the nose of the airplane and added throttle. The engine did not respond and the propeller stopped. Efforts

to restore engine power, including activating the engine starter were unsuccessful. The pilot selected an emergency landing area on a road but

then noticed power lines along the road. He then performed a landing into trees. The airplane settled to the ground inverted. A postaccident

examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunction. An AWOS weather observation, 3 miles north of the accident indicated a

temperature of 47 degrees with a dew point temperature of 19 degrees.



NTSB Probable Cause Narrative



A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.



Occurrences and Sequence of Events

Occurrence: 1, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER

Phase of Operation: MANEUVERING



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 1

1 ( Cause ) REASON FOR OCCURRENCE UNDETERMINED / /



Occurrence: 2, FORCED LANDING

Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY DESCENT/LANDING



Occurrence: 3, IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECT

Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY DESCENT/LANDING



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 3

1 (Finding) OBJECT / TREE(S) / (0)


 

 

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