# NTSB ERA22LA308: Cessna 150F, N8761G, Pittstown, NJ, July 13, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 13, 2022, 11:57 local (15:57 UTC) - Place: Pittstown, NJ - Coordinates: 40.568863, -74.974033 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5689&lon=-74.9740&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105466 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA308 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105466/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105466 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA308 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction; cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff roll the airplane was not performing as normal. The pilot aborted the takeoff, completed an additional engine run-up and no anomalies were noted. The pilot performed a second takeoff, and the airplane did not gain sufficient altitude to clear powerlines along the flight path. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field and the airplane sustained substantial damage when it contacted the rough terrain. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve was stuck closed. No additional evidence indicated any preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the stuck valve likely caused the partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 2022, about 1157 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N8761G, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Alexandria, New Jersey. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, during the initial takeoff roll “something didn’t feel right,” and she noticed she was still not airborne further down the runway than normal. She aborted the takeoff, taxied to a run-up area, and completed a second engine run-up; there were no abnormalities, and the engine rpm was within normal range. She taxied back to runway 7 and departed. During takeoff the airplane was not climbing as expected. The pilot was able to clear the trees but not a set of transmission powerlines ahead, so she performed a forced landing before reaching the powerlines. During the landing roll the airplane impacted uneven terrain and came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve was stuck closed and could not be opened. There was no heat or impact damage noted. Thumb compression was obtained on cylinder Nos. 1, 2, and 3; no compression was obtained on No. 4. No additional evidence indicated any preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane’s maintenance logs indicate that the engine passed a cylinder compression check at the last annual inspection, about 10 months before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8761G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8761G-2023-05-27), registration cancelled 2023-05-27, S/N 15062861 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15062861 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2021 - Destination: 57N, Manville, NJ - Airport: N40, Sky Manor, runway 7, 2,900 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; last flight review July 6, 2020; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 149 total, 149 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: SMQ, 14 nm away - METAR: KSMQ 131553Z AUTO 32005KT 10SM CLR 31/14 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP122 T03060144 ## 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 20220713012289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220713012289A), Jul 13, 2022: Cessna 150F, Pittston, NJ, Substantial damage. Pittstown, NJ Sky Manor Airport (N40): [privacy data omitted], C150, departed runway 7 and crashed under unknown circumstances 400 to 500 yards from airport.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105466. 18.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 10.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15635642&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine examination (item 2, PDF, 7 pages, 495 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15708835&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA308-%20Engine%20exam-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 6.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15626848&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N8761G%20Maintenance%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15693194&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release%20of%20Wreckage_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15704960&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.