NTSB Factual Report

On November 14, 2016, about 0530 eastern standard time, a privately owned and operated Cessna 150H, N23473, nosed over during a forced landing in a field near Snow Hill, North Carolina. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated about 30 minutes earlier from Raleigh East Airport (W17), Knightdale, North Carolina, and was destined for Kinston Regional Jetport (ISO), Kinston, North Carolina.

During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot stated that during cruise flight at 3,000 ft mean sea level, the engine suddenly lost total power. He maneuvered for a forced landing in a field, and while the propeller continued to windmill. After the nose landing gear contacted the ground, the airplane nosed over. The airplane was recovered for further examination of the engine.