Cessna 150F, N8637S, registered to Skycops LLC and operated by a private individual: Accident occurred November 26, 2017 in Midland County, Texas

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 
 
http://registry.faa.gov/N8637S

Location: Midland, TX
Accident Number: CEN18LA040
Date & Time: 11/26/2017, 0915 CST
Registration: N8637S
Aircraft: CESSNA 150F
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On November 26, 2017, at 0915 central standard time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N8637S, impacted terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Midland, Texas. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to Skycops, LLC, Midland, Texas, and operated by a private individual. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the solo cross-country flight. The flight departed the Midland Airpark (MDD), Midland, Texas, about 0900, and was destined for San Angelo, Texas.

The student pilot stated the airplane preflight, engine run-up, and takeoff were normal with no anomalies noted. About 15 minutes into the solo cross-country flight, the engine lost total power, and the student pilot performed a forced landing to a mesquite tree covered area. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a power line and mesquite trees.

The airframe and engine were examined by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors at the accident site, and after the airplane was recovered. Examination of the airplane revealed oil residue on the back of the engine, lower engine cowling, and the right main landing gear strut. The top mounting nut on the generator was missing, and the two lower mounting nuts were loose. Evidence of oil leakage past the generator mounting gasket was identified after removal of the generator from the engine. A hole in the engine crankcase was noted above the No. 1 cylinder.

On the day of the accident, the FAA inspector examined the engine run-up and taxiway area at MDD, consistent with where the student pilot completed his engine run prior to the flight. The engine run-up area contained a large oil stain and residual oil.

A review of the engine logbook revealed the most recent 100-hr inspection was completed on February 19, 2017, at an aircraft tachometer time of 4,204.8 hours. At the time of the accident, the tachometer indicated 4,282.3 hours. According to the student pilot, an engine oil change had been completed about 10 hours before the accident. No entry for the oil change was found in the engine records. 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 46, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/21/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 20 hours (Total, all aircraft), 20 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N8637S
Model/Series: 150F F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1965
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: 15061937
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/19/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1601 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4204.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-200-A
Registered Owner: SKYCOPS LLC
Rated Power: 100 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held:  None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MDD, 2805 ft msl
Observation Time: 0915 CST
Distance from Accident Site:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C / 1°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.36 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration:  No Precipitation
Departure Point: Midland, TX
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination:  San Angelo, TX
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0900 CST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  32.036667, -102.101667 (est)