# NTSB ATL88LA159: Cessna 150J, N60276, Sandy Ridge, NC, April 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1988, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Sandy Ridge, NC
- Coordinates: 36.500541, -80.109146 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5005&lon=-80.1091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA159

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve keeper - worn (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve keeper - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - loose (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AND LOST POWER. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER IN THE SOFT GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER VALVE SPRING SEAT LOCK HAD FAILED ALLOWING THE INTAKE VALVE TO DROP INTO THE CYLINDER WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY THE NUMBER ONE PISTON, BENDING THE VALVE STEM AND HEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60276](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60276-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 15070190, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070190
- Airframe hours: 3237
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: F.H. Symmes, John Ogle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 19, 1987, 126 hours before
- Departed: INT, WINSTON-SALEM, NC
- Destination: MTV, MARTINSVILLE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 168 total, 107 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880429011219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880429011219A), Apr 29, 1988: Cessna 150J, Sandy Ridge, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit enroute. Nosed over on forced landing. Intake valve fell into cylinder. Valve spring seat lock failed.

## Other investigations on N60276 (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA12LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA186), Feb 17, 2012: Cessna 150J (N60276), Jasper, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots' inadequate preflight inspection that failed to detect water-contaminated fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB IAD74FLJ47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74FLJ47), Jun 8, 1974: Cessna 150 (N60276), Raeford, NC, destroyed

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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