# NTSB CHI85LA163: Cessna 150L, N15JT, East Liverpool, OH, April 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1985, 19:40 local (Apr 13, 1985, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: East Liverpool, OH
- Coordinates: 40.630039, -80.559799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6300&lon=-80.5598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA163

## 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,valve,intake - binding(mechanical) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - performed, pilot in command
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

WHILE ON A NIGHT/SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG HAD A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. THE STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT A NEARBY ARPT, BUT THE RWY LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. AT FIRST, THE STUDENT DID NOT REMEMBER THAT THE LIGHTS COULD BE CONTROLLED BY KEYING THE RADIO. EVENTUALLY, HE CHANGED THE RADIO TO THE UNICOM FREQ (122.8) & TURNED ON THE LIGHTS. HE FOUND THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT IN A PROPER POSITION TO LAND, SO HE ELECTED TO LAND AT AN ANGLE TO THE RWY. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT HIT A DITCH & NOSED OVER. A SUBSEQUENT TEARDOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE #4 EXHAUST VALVE WAS STUCK IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15JT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15JT-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 15072074, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072074
- Airframe hours: 5920
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carl Mosketti
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 1984, 25 hours before
- Departed: PHD, NEW PHILADELPHI, OH
- Destination: G01, BEAVER FALLS, PA
- Airport: Columbiana County, runway 24, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 72 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIT, 22 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 19850412019319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850412019319A), Apr 12, 1985: Cessna 150, East Liverpool, OH, Substantial damage. Engine failure en route. Made emergency landing in field within airport boundary. Exhaust valve was stuck open.

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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