Cessna 150F, VH-DDQ

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau did not conduct an on-scene investigation of this occurrence. The information presented below was obtained from information supplied to the Bureau.

At about 1130 Eastern Standard Time on 20 June 2004, the Cessna 150F departed runway 28 at Gladstone, Qld for a local flight. As the aircraft climbed through 200 ft above ground level, the engine began to lose power. The pilot selected the fuel shutoff valve to OFF for a forced landing on a nearby road. During the landing, the aircraft's right wing struck an embankment and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The two occupants received minor injuries.

The pilot later reported that the aircraft had been washed about two hours before the flight, and had departed with 35 litres of fuel in the tanks. Meteorological information indicated that induction system icing was possible but it could not be verified. Similarly, the possibility of water contamination of the fuel system was considered, but could not be substantiated. The reason for the engine failure was not established.