Cessna 150L N18124

Summary

On 15 July 2000 at about 21:50 local time, a Cessna 150L registered N18124 was involved in an accident near Reserve, New Mexico, 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

15 July 2000 at 21:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Reserve, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

33.7003, -108.7608

Aircraft

Cessna 150L

Registration

N18124

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Springerville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN00LA130

Nobody was injured.

Seizure of the starter clutch assembly needle bearing, which caused the engine to develop less than full rated power and the airplane to achieve less than expected climb performance. Factors were noncompliance of a service bulletin, unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing, and trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 100 feet agl, the airplane 'lost performance' and began to lose altitude. The pilot turned towards descending terrain and attempted to land on a road. Insufficient altitude resulted in the airplane colliding with trees. The engine was examined by the pilot's personal mechanic, who discovered the clutch assembly on the Prestolite starter had seized due to a failed needle bearing. Examination of the airplane maintenance records disclosed no evidence that TCM S.B. M79-10, which provides positive lubrication to the starter clutch, had been accomplished.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.