Cessna 150M accident near Temecula, California, August 28, 1992
On August 28, 1992 at about 10:20 pm local time, a Cessna 150M, registered N211AF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Temecula, California. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE SHUTDOWN OF THE ENGINE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE MUFFLER AND THE RESULTING HEAT INDUCED SHORTING OF THE MAGNETO GROUND WIRES, AND THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION OF THE MUFFLER AND THE ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 28, 1992 · about 10:20 pm local time
- Place
- Temecula, California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N211AF · no longer on the register · serial 15076287
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT SAID THAT DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT COMPLETELY WITH A LOUD NOISE. THE INSTRUCTOR LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN A FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AFTER COLLIDING WITH A BERM. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE REAR DOME OF THE LEFT MUFFLER HAD BLOWN OUT. SCORCHING AND EXHAUST STAINS WERE EVIDENT ON THE FIREWALL TO THE REAR OF THE MUFFLER AND WIRE BUNDLES ROUTED IN THIS AREA WERE FOUND BURNED WITH MELTED INSULATION NOTED. THE 'P' LEADS FOR THE MAGNETOS WERE FOUND ROUTED IN THIS WIRE BUNDLE. VISUAL EXAMINATION AND ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY CHECKS OF THE 'P' LEADS REVEALED THAT THE INTERNAL INSULATION HAD MELTED ALLOWING THE CONDUCTORS TO SHORT WITHIN THE WIRES. EXAMINATION OF THE MUFFLER REVEALED SEVERE INTERNAL EROSION, WITH HOLES THROUGH THE CABIN HEAT SHROUD. THE FAILED END OF THE MUFFLER WAS FOUND TO BE SEVERELY ERODED AROUND THE FAILURE POINT ON THE END PIECE, WITH SMALL HOLES AND EXTERNAL DISCOLORATION NOTED.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,360 hours in all; 170 in this make and model; 158 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 950 as pilot in command; 300 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,024 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 28, 1992; 87 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A48B (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Armed Forces Flying Club
The flight
- Departed from: F70 at 10:15 pm
- Destination: MYF San Diego CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.