# NTSB CEN20LA239: Cessna 150, N51033, Millersport, OH, June 20, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 20, 2020, 18:54 local (22:54 UTC) - Place: Millersport, OH - Coordinates: 39.899166, -82.55278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8992&lon=-82.5528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 101468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101468/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101468 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA239 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## 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: [Cessna 150J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071820), [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. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150J, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071820), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he took off from his private airstrip intending to make a touch-and-go landing at his airstrip. He added that, during a turn toward the runway, the engine lost power. Two witnesses saw the airplane collide with power lines. The airplane then impacted terrain and nosed over. The airplane was destroyed by impact and a postimpact fire. A review of the airplane’s flight track revealed that the airplane had been airborne about 1 1/2 hours, flying between two airports. The flight profile was consistent with the pilot conducting touch and go landings at his private airstrip and another airport to the south. The postimpact fire precluded an examination of the airframe or fuel system. An engine examination was performed, but postimpact fire damage precluded the testing of all components. Although the No. 2 cylinder had low compression, examination using a borescope did not reveal any defects. The magnetos were melted and could not be tested. Given the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2020, about 1853 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150J airplane, N51033, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Millersport, Ohio. The pilot sustained a minor injury. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported to law enforcement officers that he took off from his private airstrip and intended to make a touch-and-go landing at his airstrip. He added that, during his turn toward the runway, the engine “gave out.” A witness saw the airplane flying north before it banked west and collided with power lines. Another witness noted the airplane flying low before it turned and impacted the power lines. The airplane then impacted terrain and nosed over. A postimpact fire consumed most of the airplane. The pilot did not submit an accident report form or a written statement to investigators. A review of automatic dependent surveillance-–broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane was first detected at 1721 as the airplane departed from Fairfield County Airport (LHQ), Lancaster, Ohio. The track proceeded north to the pilot’s airstrip where it appeared he flew a low approach or a touch-and-go. The track then proceeded south to LHQ where it appeared the airplane performed a low approach or a touch-and-go before proceeding north again. ADS-B data depicted another complete circuit north to the private airstrip, south to LHQ, and then north. The last ADS-B data was recorded at 1853 near the accident site. Due to the extensive fire damage, investigators were unable to establish how much fuel was on board or examine the fuel system. During an engine examination the compression test found the No. 2 cylinder had low compression, with air leaking through the intake. The intake and exhaust valve moved as the propeller was rotated. The No. 2 cylinder was examined using a borescope; no defects were noted. The magnetos were melted and could not be tested. No other anomalies were noted with the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51033](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51033-2021-04-03), registration cancelled 2021-04-03, S/N 15069720, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 (J) - Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069720 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Millersport, OH - Destination: NONE, Millersport, OH - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 89; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: LHQ, 19 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 20200620010979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200620010979A), Jun 20, 2020: Cessna 150J, Millersport, OH, Destroyed. A Cessna 150J N51033 began the takeoff roll to the north on the student pilot?s private grass strip. (The grass strip is approximately 1600 feet long on a… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101468. 12.0 MB in all. - Witness' statements (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10022145&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=%5B1%5DWitness%27%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Federal oversight for N51033 engine (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 602 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10044872&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=%5B3%5DFederal%20Oversight%20for%20N51033%20Engine-Rel.pdf - Memorandum (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11345364&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=%5B4%5DMemorandum-Rel.pdf - Opsview depiction of ADS-B data (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12027395&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=(2)OpsView%20Depiction%20of%20ADS-B%20Data-Rel.pdf - ADS-B data file - N51033 (item 5, CSV, 7.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12788085&FileExtension=csv&FileName=20200620_A6644C_428827830_ADSB-Rel.csv - Google earth klm file - N51033 (item 6, KMZ, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12788921&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=20200620_A6644C_428827830_ADSB_Eval-Rel.kmz - Accident report photographs (item 7, PDF, 5 pages, 627 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11338495&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=%5B5%5DAccident%20Report%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Wreckage release (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12573168&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20NTSB%20Retention-Release%20form%20%20CEN20LA239_Redacted-Rel.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.