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NTSB Identification: FTW98LA357. The docket is stored in the (offline) NTSB Imaging System.

Accident occurred Friday, August 07, 1998 at BELEN, NM

Aircraft: Cessna 150J, registration: N60564

Injuries: 1 Minor



Event: 20001211X10851 Status: Final Report Approved On Thursday, February 15, 2001



NTSB Preliminary Narrative (6120.19A)



On August 7, 1998, approximately 1120 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N60564, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain

during a forced landing 1 mile south of Alexander Municipal Airport, Belen, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, sustained

minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the test flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR

Part 91. The flight originated at Belen approximately 5 minutes before the accident.



The pilot told FAA inspectors that he detected water in the fuel during his preflight, and thought he had drained all the water from the tanks. In

his accident report, however, he made no reference to his preflight. Shortly after departing runway 21, the engine lost power but was

"surging". The pilot tried to land on a road but was unable. The pilot stated the "aircraft [was] in ground effect with [the] stall warning horn in

operation." He "flew within 30 yards of [a] road when [he] could no longer keep in ground effect with power that the engine was producing."

The pilot made a forced landing on soft sandy soil south of the airport. The aircraft rolled approximately 20 feet and nosed over.



FAA inspectors reported draining a considerable quantity of "rust red" water from both fuel tanks and debris from the gascolator.



The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that the pilot's airmen certificate was suspended in 1989 for 60 days and then was

reinstated. In December 1997, his mechanic's license was "amended" but is now suspended. An FAA representative also reported that

although the airplane serial number matched the registration number, the latter had been removed from FAA's central registry. The airplane was

listed as sold on December 24, 1991, but no new owner's name was listed. The previous owner was contacted and he stated that the airplane

had been destroyed. Inspectors said there was no valid Certificate of Airworthiness or Registration Certificate in the airplane.



NTSB Final Narrative (6120.4)



The pilot told FAA inspectors that he detected water in the fuel during his preflight, and thought he had drained all the water from the tanks. In

his accident report, however, he made no reference to his preflight. Shortly after departing runway 21, the engine lost power but was 'surging'.

The pilot tried to land on a road but was unable. The pilot stated the 'aircraft [was] in ground effect with [the] stall warning horn in operation.'

He 'flew within 30 yards of road when [he] could no longer keep in ground effect with power that the engine was producing.' The pilot made a

forced landing on soft sandy soil south of the airport. The aircraft rolled approximately 20 feet and nosed over. FAA inspectors reported

draining a considerable quantity of 'rust red' water from both fuel tanks and debris from the gascolator, and the aircraft did not have a valid

certificate of airworthiness or registration.



NTSB Probable Cause Narrative



The pilot's improper preflight in that he failed to drain the water from the fuel sumps. Factors were water contamination in the fuel tank and a

sand bar.



Occurrences and Sequence of Events

Occurrence: 1, FORCED LANDING

Phase of Operation: DESCENT - EMERGENCY



Occurrence: 2, NOSE OVER

Phase of Operation: LANDING - ROLL



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 2

1 ( Factor ) TERRAIN CONDITIONS / SAND BAR / (0)


 

 

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