# NTSB CEN14LA144: Cessna 150 - G, N3882J, Galion, OH, February 13, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 13, 2014, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Galion, OH - Coordinates: 40.753334, -82.723609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7533&lon=-82.7236&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 July 13, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 88810 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88810/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88810 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA144 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power on climbout for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071816), [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: [Cessna 150G, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071816), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he found no abnormalities with the airplane during the preflight inspection. After engine start-up and before taxiing, the pilot allowed the engine temperature to rise due to the cold ambient temperature, and the predeparture engine run-up was normal. The airplane took off and, when it reached about 500 ft above ground level, the engine "misfired." The pilot cycled the carburetor heat on and verified that the primer was "locked" and that the fuel selector was in the "on" position. Despite these actions, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing in an agricultural field. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or fuel contamination that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On February 19, 2014, about 1130 eastern standard time (EST), a Cessna 150G airplane, N3882J, made a forced landing following a total loss of engine power after takeoff from the Galion Municipal Airport (GQQ), Galion, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a statement provided to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported no abnormalities or fuel contaminates were observed during the preflight airplane inspection. After engine start-up, the pilot allowed the airplane engine temperature to rise before taxiing due to the cold ambient temperature. The pre-departure run-up was normal and he noted the takeoff was smooth until about 400-500 feet above ground level when the engine "misfired." The pilot stated he pulled the carburetor heat, checked the primer was in the "locked" position and verified the fuel selector valve was in the "on" position. The engine then experienced a total loss of power. Unable to restore engine power, he made a forced landing into an agricultural field. During the forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mounts. The airplane was a two seat, high wing, tricycle landing gear, airplane which was manufactured in 1967. It was powered by a Continental Motors O-200 engine. An FAA inspector conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane engine and fuel system. The examination revealed engine continuity of the crankshaft, lifters and valves. Compression was present in all four cylinders. There were also sparks observed in all 8 ignition wires. Fuel samples were taken from the fuel lines, carburetor, and gascolator with no visible signs of water. The airframe fuel sump was drained and a "few drops" of water were observed. At the direction of the NTSB IIC, the carburetor was opened and no anomalies were observed with the carburetor float. In addition, the fuel was tested with water indicating paste to detect water contamination. The water indicating paste did not reflect water contaminates in the fuel. The closest weather reporting facility was the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, Mansfield, Ohio. At 1052, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) from the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, 12 miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind from 030 degrees at 5 knots; sky condition, clear; visibility, 9 statute miles; temperature 21 degrees F; dewpoint 7 degrees F; barometric pressure 29.84 inches of mercury. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, an airplane operating in the ambient conditions near the accident site could expect no carburetor icingwhile at cruise or glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3882J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3882J), registered now, S/N 15065182, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15065182 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 3931 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2013 - Departed: GQQ, GALION, OH - Destination: I74, URBANA, OH - Airport: GQQ, Galion Muni - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 81 total, 72 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KMFD, 12 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 20140213000959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140213000959A), Feb 13, 2014: Cessna 150G, Galion, OH, Substantial damage. Shortly after takeoff around 500 ft engine missed and quit. Pilot landed airplane in corn field about 600 ft north of departure end of rwy 5. Aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88810. 928 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 638 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Post-Accident Examination Statement from FAA FSDO Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Post-Accident%20Examination%20Statement%20from%20FAA%20FSDO%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF - Photographs of Accident Airplane Fuel Sample Testing with Water Indicating Paste (Provided by Owner) (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs%20of%20Accident%20Airplane%20Fuel%20Sample%20Testing%20with%20Water%20Indicating%20Paste%20(Provided%20by%20Owner)-Master.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.