# NTSB ERA10LA453: Cessna 120, N2493N, Rockland, ME, August 29, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 2010, 14:28 local (18:28 UTC) - Place: Rockland, ME - Coordinates: 44.060001, -69.099166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0600&lon=-69.0992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 26, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77115 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA453 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77115/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77115 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA453 ## Probable cause The 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: [Cessna 120, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff climb, the pilot noticed that the airplane's engine wasn't producing as much power as it should have been when compared to other flights. The airplane's altitude was insufficient to return to the airport and the pilot performed a forced landing straight ahead. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and a postcrash fire ensued. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact abnormalities that could account for the loss of engine power. While weather conditions for carburetor icing were noted as “serious icing – glide power” at the time of the accident, the investigation was unable to determine the cause of the power loss. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2010, at 1428 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 120, N2493N, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine power after takeoff from Knox County Regional Airport (RKD), Rockland, Maine. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, during takeoff from runway 31, he noticed the engine “wasn’t producing as much power as it should have been.” The pilot believed he could not safely turn back to the airport and decided to perform a forced landing straight ahead. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees before coming to rest on the ground. The pilot reported he fueled the airplane about 10 days prior to the accident, after his last flight in the airplane. At that time, he "topped the fuel tanks" with 100LL aviation fuel. The pilot additionally reported the carburetor heat was "off" during the takeoff. A witness, who was flying an airplane in the traffic pattern at RKD observed the accident airplane depart from runway 31, and "appeared to be having difficulty gaining altitude." As the airplane passed the intersection of runway 21 and 31 it drifted to the northeast side of the runway, "still appearing to be having difficulty gaining altitude." As the airplane continued to the northwest it made a couple of shallow turns eventually turning in a westerly direction at low level. The witness lost sight of the airplane as it descended behind trees to the west of the approach lights for runway 13. The airplane was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector after the accident. According to the inspector, the airplane was mostly consumed by a post-crash fire. However, he examined the flight control surfaces and confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit to the control surfaces. The inspector rotated the engine and confirmed crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity. Both magnetos displayed severe fire damage; however, when the engine was rotated, the impulse coupling of the left magneto was confirmed to be operating. The spark plugs were examined and appeared to be “extremely worn.” Examination of the propeller revealed one blade was bent aft approximately 30 degrees, and the other blade was straight. Neither blade exhibited rotational scoring. The carburetor and magnetos were removed and disassembled for further examination. No pre-impact mechanical anomalies were noted. Additionally, the fuel selector was noted to be in the right tank position. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent third-class medical certificate was issued on April 14, 2008. At that time, he reported 181 hours of total flight experience. The recorded weather at RKD, at 1355, included wind from 260 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots, 10miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 30 degrees C, dew point 18 degrees C, and altimeter setting 30.02 inches of mercury. A review of the information found on the FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart; and given the atmospheric conditions prevailing during take-off, revealed that the airplane was operating within the "serious icing – glide power" range. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2493N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2493N-2011-03-07), registration cancelled 2011-03-07, S/N 12746, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12746 - Airframe hours: 809 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hamilton William L - Registered owner: Hamilton William L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 2009 - Departed: RKD, Rockland, ME - Destination: RKD, Rockland, ME - Airport: RKD, Knox County Regional Airport, runway 31 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 10 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 9 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: RKD ## 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 20100829042439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100829042439A), Aug 29, 2010: Cessna 120, Rockland, ME, Destroyed. Pilot departed on runway 31 from Rockland for a VFR local flight. On take off PIC noted that the aircraft appeared to not be making power. He stated the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77115. 8.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340903&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - RKD METARs (item 2, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=RKD%20METARs-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview (item 5, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - FAA Statement (item 6, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%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.