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NTSB Identification: FTW99LA205. The docket is stored in the (offline) NTSB Imaging System.

Accident occurred Sunday, August 01, 1999 at BRYAN, TX

Aircraft: Cessna 150L, registration: N444UF

Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured



Event: 20001212X19506 Status: Final Report Approved On Thursday, November 30, 2000



NTSB Preliminary Narrative (6120.19A)



On August 1, 1999, at 1957 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L airplane, N444UF, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while

maneuvering in the traffic pattern at the Coulter Field Airport, near Bryan, Texas. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries and the student

pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned by Preiss Enterprises, Inc., and operated by United Flight Systems, Inc., both of College Station,

Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local

flight departed from the Easterwood Field Airport (CLL), near College Station, Texas, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident.



The 750-hour flight instructor reported to the operator that "the engine started sputtering and lost power while the airplane was abeam the

departure end of the runway while on a left downwind for runway 14." The flight instructor stated that he intended to land the airplane on a

short taxiway perpendicular to the approach end of runway 32. During his approach to the taxiway, engine power was reestablished, and he

elected to initiate a climb to return to home base. The flight instructor added that the engine lost power again during climb out, "and the airplane

stalled." The airplane impacted on the shoulder of a highway, went through a fence, and came to rest in a field in the inverted position.



Pilot/witnesses standing outside the terminal building at the airport reported that the airplane had been operating in the closed traffic pattern,

performing touch-and-go landings on runway 14. They stated that when the airplane was established on a left downwind, abeam the south

boundary of the airport, they heard the sound of the engine go from full power to idle. They observed the airplane make a left turn and descend

toward the south end of the airport. The pilots commented that they expected the airplane to make a right turn and land downwind on runway

32. They reported that the flaps were extended to about 10 degrees.



The witnesses added that the airplane continued to descend perpendicular to the runway, and crossed the approach end of the runway at an

estimated altitude of 150 feet agl. When the airplane was just a few feet above the ground, the witnesses heard the sound of an increase to

what sounded like full takeoff power. The airplane initiated a climb until it reached the southwest boundary of the airport, which was paralleled

by a 25-foot-tall powerline. At powerline level, the airplane abruptly assumed a nose high attitude and cleared the powerlines. After clearing

the powerlines, "the left wing of the airplane dropped and the airplane appeared to stall and spin toward the ground." The airplane "fell almost

vertically with the engine still running at full power."



The 15-hour student pilot told one of the witnesses that he observed the powerlines in their flight path, and they "pulled up hard and barely

missed them."



Examination of the airplane by the operator revealed spar damage to both wings and structural damage to the vertical stabilizer and engine

firewall. The operator estimated that the airplane had approximately 18 gallons of fuel on board at the time of the accident. The 1973 model

airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses for either occupant. The flight instructor sustained minor facial injuries during the accident.





NTSB Final Narrative (6120.4)



During an instructional flight, the airplane stalled after the 750-hour flight instructor performed an abrupt pull-up to avoid colliding with powerlines

while maneuvering. Witnesses at the airport reported that the airplane had been operating in the closed traffic pattern, performing touch-and-go

landings on runway 14. They added that they heard the engine power being reduced from full power to idle and observed the airplane make a

left turn and descend toward the south end of the airport. Instead of making a right turn for a downwind landing on 32, the airplane continued

straight ahead, crossing perpendicular to the runway. The witnesses then heard an increase in engine power and observed the airplane enter

a climb. The 15-hour student pilot receiving instruction told a witness that he saw the powerlines crossing their flight path, and 'they pulled up

hard and barely missed them.' The witnesses reported that after clearing the powerlines, 'the left wing of the airplane dropped and the airplane

appeared to stall and spin toward the ground.'



NTSB Probable Cause Narrative



The flight instructor's inadvertent stall while performing an evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with powerlines.



Occurrences and Sequence of Events

Occurrence: 1, LOSS OF CONTROL - IN FLIGHT

Phase of Operation: MANEUVERING



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 1

1 (Finding) OBJECT / WIRE,TRANSMISSION / (0)

2 ( Cause ) MANEUVER TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS / PERFORMED / PILOT IN COMMAND (CFI)

3 ( Cause ) STALL/SPIN / INADVERTENT / PILOT IN COMMAND (CFI)


 

 

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