Cessna 150J N60124

Summary

On 5 August 1994 at about 03:45 local time, a Cessna 150J registered N60124 was involved in an accident near Dallas, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 August 1994 at 03:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Dallas, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.9704, -96.7994

Aircraft

Cessna 150J

Registration

N60124

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Addison → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

FTW94LA261

2 people had minor injuries.

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STARTER GEAR AND SHAFT ASSEMBLY NEEDLE BEARING. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THIRTY FIVE MINUTES INTO THE DARK NIGHT VMC FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITH NO WARNING. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A GOLF COURSE AND IMPACTED A TREE JUST BEFORE LANDING. ENGINE TEARDOWN DISCLOSED THAT THE BEARING INSIDE THE GEAR AND SPRAG HOUSING WAS MISSING A NEEDLE AND WAS LOCKED IN POSITION ON THE STARTER GEAR AND SHAFT ASSEMBLY. THE MISSING NEEDLE WAS NOT FOUND. THE GEAR AND SPRAG HOUSING WOULD NOT ROTATE IN EITHER DIRECTION ON THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY. THIS RESULTED IN THE ENGINE BACK DRIVING THE STARTER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.