# NTSB BFO85FA077: Cessna 150E, N3518J, Clinton, MD, September 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1985, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Clinton, MD
- Coordinates: 38.759746, -76.889007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7597&lon=-76.8890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11144
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11144/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,primer system - unlocked (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT ON INITIAL CLIMB FROM A NORMAL TAKEOFF, A PARTIAL ENGINE PWR LOSS WAS EXPERIENCED. CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WAS LOST WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA. A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR THAT WITNESSED THE TAKEOFF STATED THAT IT APPEARED TO BE A SIMULATED SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF WITH A HIGH CLIMB RATE ESTABLISHED AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. HE STATED THAT THE A/C PITCHED FURTHER UP 200-300 AGL AND THEN ENTERED A LEFT SPIN. NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES WERE FOUND DURING ENGINE DISASSEMBLY EXCEPT FOR ONE BKN COMPRESSION RING ON EACH OF PISTONS 1, 3, AND 4. RING GROOVE WEAR INDICATED THAT THIS CONDITION HAD EXISTED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. COCKPIT ODCUMENTATION REVEALED THAT THE PRIMER WAS UNLOCKED AND HAD BACKED SLIGHTLY OUT OF ITS STOWED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3518J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3518J-2012-11-08), registration cancelled 2012-11-08, S/N 15061218, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150E
- Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061218
- Airframe hours: 7611
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Beacon Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1985, 2 hours before
- Airport: W32, Hyde Field, runway 23, 2,820 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,060 total, 230 in this make and model, 4,850 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW, 5 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 19850918045629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850918045629A), Sep 18, 1985: Cessna 150E, Clinton, MD, Destroyed. Lost partial power on climbout. While looking at landing area pilot allowed. Pitchup that induced a stall and spin.

## Other investigations on N3518J (1)

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 IAD75FIA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75FIA09), Nov 29, 1974: Cessna 150E (N3518J), Clinton, MD, substantial damage

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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