# NTSB CEN10CA060: Boeing B75N1, N5521N, St. Louis, MO, November 22, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 22, 2009, 13:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: St. Louis, MO - Coordinates: 38.726665, -90.508331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7267&lon=-90.5083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75121 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75121/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75121 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA060 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane's engine quit when the airplane was about 150 feet above ground level after takeoff. He stated that after about 3 seconds the engine restarted and ran for another 6 to 7 seconds before quitting again. The pilot elected not to land on a busy highway and selected a small field to attempt a forced landing. He realized he would not be able to make the field and elected to stall the airplane into trees. Subsequent examination of the engine confirmed engine crankshaft and valve train continuity. Each cylinder produced "thumb" compression and the magnetos produced spark at all leads when the engine was rotated by hand. Fuel was found within the fuel tank and fuel lines leading to the engine. No anomalies were found that would explain the reported loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane's engine lost power when the airplane was about 150 feet above ground level after takeoff. He stated that after about 3 seconds the engine restarted and ran for another 6 to 7 seconds before losing power again. He elected not to land on a busy highway and selected a small field to attempt a forced landing. He realized he would not be able to make the field and elected to stall the airplane into trees. Subsequent examination of the engine confirmed engine crankshaft and valve train continuity. Each cylinder produced "thumb" compression and the magnetos produced spark at all leads when the engine was rotated by hand. Fuel was found within the fuel tank and fuel lines leading to the engine. No anomalies were found that would explain the reported loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5521N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5521N), registered now, S/N 75-7931, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING B75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-7931 - Airframe hours: 5038 - Engines: CONT MOTOR W670 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2009, 7 hours before - Departed: 1H0, St. Louis, MO - Destination: 1H0, St. Louis, MO - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 1H0, Creve Couer Airport, runway 16 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: STL, 7 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 20091122052639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091122052639A), Nov 22, 2009: Boeing B75N1, Maryland Height, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost power on take-off at approximately 150 ft AGL, restarted engine, and it failed again after approximately 6-7 seconds. Pilot made 180 degree turn… ## Other investigations on N5521N (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 CHI70DCA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70DCA16), Jun 6, 1970: Stearman B75N1 (N5521N), Columbia, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA68D0045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0045), Jul 4, 1967: Boeing A75N1 (N5521N), Tallassee, AL, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75121. 107 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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. --- 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.