Accident Overview
On August 1, 2017, about 1515 central daylight time, a Cessna 150F, registered as N8879S, impacted terrain following a loss of control during initial climb after takeoff from runway 12 at Tarrant Field Airport (6X0), near Mount Selman, Texas. The flight instructor received minor injuries and the student pilot received serious injuries. The airplane impacted nose down and sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and wings.
Flight Details
The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR), Tyler, Texas, about 1445.
The flight instructor reported the flight was to prepare the student pilot for his private pilot test. They departed TYR and flew to 6X0, making one full-stop landing followed by a taxi back for a soft-field takeoff. The instructor had no memory of the accident takeoff but surmised a possible loss of engine power.
Video Evidence
An automobile dash camera traveling south on highway 69, east of 6X0, captured the final moments. The video shows the airplane entering the right frame just above tree-top level, traveling left and starting a right turn. Wing flaps were not fully retracted, though the deflection could not be determined. During the turn, the left wing and nose dropped, and the airplane descended into the ground. It struck the ground just east of the highway in a left-wing-low, nose-low attitude, coming to rest facing north.
Postaccident Examination
The airplane was removed from the scene, and a postaccident examination was conducted under FAA supervision. The wings and empennage were removed during recovery. Many control cables were cut or disconnected at turnbuckles, but flight control continuity was established from cockpit to control surfaces. The flap actuator position corresponded to a 10° flap deflection.
Dirt-type sediment was observed in the bottom of the fuel strainer bowl along with corrosion evidence. Fuel system continuity was confirmed from each wing root to the strainer; the fuel selector valve was in the on position. Each fuel tank finger screen was clear of debris. The carburetor heat control was found off.
Engine examination confirmed compression, valve action, and spark from both magnetos during rotation. The carburetor mounting flange was impact-separated from the induction assembly; the carburetor remained attached to the separated flange, with mixture and throttle cables attached. The throttle valve was full open, mixture full rich. The accelerator pump did not spray fuel into the carburetor throat upon actuation. Disassembly of the carburetor revealed dirt and sediment in the bowl but no obstruction of the fuel metering port. The accelerator pump had rust on its base.
No anomalies were found with respect to the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
The temperature and dew point recorded at Cherokee County Airport (JSO), about 14 miles south, were 23°C and 21°C, respectively. According to a carburetor icing probability chart by Flight Safety Australia, these conditions were in a range of susceptibility for moderate icing at cruise power and serious icing at descent power.