N50XP

On May 16, 2002, approximately 1900 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M single-engine airplane, N50XP, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a transmission wire during a precautionary landing to a field following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Godley, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Delta Aeronautics Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, and operated by Delta Qualiflight, Fort Worth. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight departed the Fort Worth Mecham International Airport, Fort Worth, approximately 1800.

The pilot reported that prior to departure from Fort Worth, he performed an engine run-up with no anomalies noted. Approximately 1.8 hours into the flight, the airplane "experienced engine roughness." During a precautionary landing to a field, the airplane impacted a transmission wire.

An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the airplane came to rest upright in the field with the nose landing gear separated, and the aft wing spars bent. The fuel selector was found in the OFF position, the right fuel tank was approximately 1/2 full of fuel, and the left fuel tank was approximately 2/3 full of fuel. The FAA inspector rotated the engine crankshaft by hand; the engine crankshaft was free to rotate, and the engine accessories drive shafts were observed to rotate. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.