# NTSB BFO92LA090: Cessna 152, N68215, Woodstock, CT, July 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1992, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Woodstock, CT
- Location: 41.7894° N, 72.7992° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHASE (CT04), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7894&lon=-72.7992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA090

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER AND THE INADVERTENT AERODYNAMIC STALL THAT OCCURRED DURING THE PRECUATIONARY LANDING.

## 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,cylinder - cracked (cause)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE TO HER DESTINATION WHEN SHE SAID, ' THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE LOSING POWER, AND THE ENGINE HAD A SOFT ABNORMAL SOUND.'  THE PILOT SAID SHE PERFORMED THE STANDARD EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHICH INCLUDED THE USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, BUT ALL WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  SHE STATED THAT SHE NOTICED AN AIRPORT BELOW HER, AND MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO LAND, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT THE AIRPLANE STALLED, AND STRUCK A 75 FOOT TREE BEFORE IT FELL TO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE FAA REVEALED A QUARTER INCH CRACK IN THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER WHERE THE BARREL AND HEAD ARE JOINED.  THE CYLINDER IS A CHROME PLATED CYLINDER AND IS REQUIRED BY THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER AS PER THE SERVICE LETTER TO BE OVERHAULED AT 2400 HOURS.  THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED 888 HOURS SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68215](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68215), registered now, S/N 15282191 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282191
- Airframe hours: 4271
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Northstar Aero Services
- Registered owner: Northstar Aero Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 1992, 70 hours before
- Departed: 7B9, ELLINGTON, CT
- Destination: MHT, MANCHESTER, NH
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CT04, Toutant, runway 18, 1,800 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140.5 total, 136.6 in this make and model, 56.2 as pilot in command, 52.5 in the last 90 days, 13.5 in the last 30 days, 1.3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORW, 1 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 19920707023989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920707023989A), Jul 7, 1992: Cessna 152, Putnam, CT, Substantial damage. Lost partial power. Tried to land. Stalled. Struck tree. NR4 cylinder cracked where barrel and head are joined.

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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