# NTSB ATL99LA027: Cessna 150, N18022, Columbia, NC, December 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 3, 1998, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Columbia, NC - Coordinates: 35.910095, -76.249153 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9101&lon=-76.2492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45398 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45398/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA027 ## Probable cause The failure of the #2 exhaust valve that resulted in the total loss of engine power. A factor is the lack of suitable emergency landing terrain. ## Analysis Approximately one hour into the flight, the flight instructor reported that the engine developed a rough condition and a reduction in power. Since normal flight could not be maintained, the flight instructor selected a field that he believed would be suitable for a forced landing. During the landing roll, the flight instructor attempted to avoid a collision with a drainage ditch and trees. After the airplane went through several gyrations, it rested180 degrees from the initial landing direction. Examination of the engine disclosed that the #2 exhaust valve had failed, and pieces if the valve head were lodged in the cylinder and the exhaust system. The examination of the valve revealed that the valve head separated at the valve stem attach point. The valve stem remained in a normally installed position, and functioned normally when the engine drive train was rotated. A review of the engine maintenance logs disclosed that this engine had a previous exhaust valve failure 931 hours ago. The exhaust valve Part Number was SA-646612. ## Factual narrative On December 3, 1998, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N18022, collided with the ground during an emergency landing, near Columbia, North Carolina. The instructional flight was operated by the flight instructor under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. A review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to the operator, the airframe sustained substantial structural damage. The certified flight instructor and the student pilot, were not injured. The local flight departed Manteo, North Carolina, at 1330. According to the flight instructor, before the initial takeoff, he and the student pilot completed a preflight inspection and a normal engine run-up. The flight instructor reported that after the initial takeoff they flew to Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where they made a touch and go landing. The flight instructor and student pilot made another touch and go landing at Edenton, North Carolina. Approximately one hour into the flight, the flight instructor reported that the engine developed a rough condition and a reduction in power. Since normal flight could not be maintained, the flight instructor selected a field that he believed would be suitable for a forced landing. During the landing roll the flight instructor attempted to avoid a collision with a drainage ditch and trees. After the airplane went through several gyrations, it rested 180 degrees from the initial landing direction. Examination of the engine disclosed that the #2 exhaust valve had failed, and pieces of the valve head were lodged in the cylinder and the exhaust system. The examination of the valve revealed that the valve head separated at the valve stem attach point. The valve stem remained in a normally installed position, and functioned when the engine drive train was rotated. A review of the engine maintenance logs disclosed that this engine had a previous exhaust valve failure 931 hours ago. The exhaust valve Part Number was SA-646612 (see attached FAA inspector's report). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18022](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18022-2000-02-29), registration cancelled 2000-02-29, S/N 15073738 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15073738 - Airframe hours: 5368 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jeffery W. Williams - Registered owner: Jerry D. Morris - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1998, 54 hours before - Departed: MQI, MANTEO, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 490 total, 244 in this make and model, 467 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EDE, 35 nm away ## 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 19981203045859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981203045859A), Dec 3, 1998: Cessna 150L, Columbia, NC, Substantial damage. Approximately one hour into the flight, the flight instructor reported that the engine developed a rough condition and a reduction in power. Since normal… ## Other investigations on N18022 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CHI75DEC03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75DEC03), Jul 11, 1974: Cessna 150L (N18022), Onsted, MI, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.