Cessna 150M N704RS

Summary

On 11 May 1996 at about 14:05 local time, a Cessna 150M registered N704RS was involved in an accident near Springdale, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 May 1996 at 14:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Springdale, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 150M

Registration

N704RS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA209

Nobody was injured.

the flight instructor's improper (unapproved) procedure of using the mixture control to simulate an engine failure. A factor relating to the accident was: 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

While practicing simulated engine out procedures, the flight instructor (CFI) 'pulled the mixture off to simulate [an] engine failure.' When the student pilot did not turn towards a field to land the airplane, the CFI took the controls and attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine. During an approach for a forced landing in an open field, the airplane hit a barbed wire fence, damaging the left horizontal stabilizer, cowling, and fuselage. The airplane touched down 30 to 50 feet beyond the fence and came to a stop without further damage. After landing, the instructor 'restarted the engine to trouble-shoot, but found no trouble as it started immediately.' FAA publication AC 61-21A stated that the throttle should be used to simulate an engine failure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.