Cessna 150 Safety Record

The poor in-flight planning by the pilot-in-command for his failure to ask for assistance after becoming lost momentarily, and his failure to monitor the total time airborne after the fuel tanks were filled. Contributing to the accident was the binding of the right fuel tank quantity transmitter resulting in the incorrect reading of the gauge, and inadequate aircraft manuals by the airplane manufacturer for failure to require testing of the fuel quantity indicating system for accuracy. Also contributing was the failure of the pilot to obtain a preflight weather briefing, and unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot during the forced landing.

The instructor pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and subsequent inadequate supervision of the situation to simulate an engine failure on takeoff, as well as both pilot's not maintaining a visual lookout. A related factor was the diverted attention of both the instructor and student pilot's.

mechanical binding of the number three exhaust valve, and the pilot/owner's improper planning/decision by failing to ensure the engine was operating properly before takeoff. A related factor was: the pilot/owner's failure to ensure that annual maintenance was performed.

failure of the pilot to verify the quantity of fuel before departure, and to monitor fuel consumption during the flight, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Tall grass in the emergency landing was a related factor.

Inadequate preflight planning by loading the aircraft over the maximum certificated gross weight, failure to follow procedures and directives by using flaps for takeoff and failing to properly lean the engine for optimum power, and stalling the aircraft. Factors were: Poor judgement by the pilot in operating the aircraft without a current annual inspection, for forging his medical certificate, and failing to obtain and use the proper Owner's Manual for the aircraft. Also, factors were insufficient requirements for the Owner's Manual by the FAA and inadequate aircraft manual information by the manufacturer.

the instructor pilot stalled the aircraft as a result of inadequate preflight planning. Factors included the transmission wire, the rising terrain, and the trees at the departure end of the runway.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush. Also causal was the pilot's failure to retract the flaps during the go-around.

the pilot's improper planning/decision, by failing to ensure there was sufficient fuel for continued flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent collision with objects (concrete blocks) during a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: a partially inoperative fuel gauge, which provided a false fuel indication, and the pilot's operation of the airplane with the known deficiency.

failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff after encountering excessive ground roll, and failure (or inability) of the pilot to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors relating to the accident were: restricted movement of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve, due to improper engine overhaul by the previous owner/mechanic, and failure of the current owner to perform maintenance after being advised by a pilot of excessive rpm drop during a carburetor heat check.

the pilot's delayed remedial action when encountering downdrafts while approaching high terrain in high density altitude conditions. The pilot's inadequate supervision of the second pilot was a factor in the accident.

the instructor's inadequate supervision by allowing the student and himself to become lost, his inadequate inflight planning/decision by failing to ensure the airplane was safely landed before fuel was exhausted, and his selection of unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to use all the available runway for takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the wet grass airstrip and the powerlines.

the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol which led to his failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear surrounding terrain. A factor was the pilot's intentional buzzing.

A loss of engine power due to carburetor ice and the student's failure to use carburetor heat. The carburetor icing (weather) condition was a related factor.

the pilot's abrupt retraction of the flaps and his failure to coordinate airspeed with flap retraction which resulted in the lack of airplane performance.

Failure of the pilot to ensure that the other person (outside the airplane) remained clear of the operating propeller, and failure of the other person to maintain awareness of the hazardous condition. A factor relating to the accident was: the other person diverted his attention to spectators, who were standing nearby.

the pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to follow the checklist to ensure that the fuel selector valve was in the ON position, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. In addition, the pilot failed to maintain airspeed during the forced landing which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, his resultant improper planning/decision, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from obstructions (power lines) at night.