# NTSB FTW92LA207: Cessna 152, N6614P, Killeen, TX, August 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1992, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Killeen, TX
- Coordinates: 31.109119, -97.729331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1091&lon=-97.7293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA207

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FRACTURED NUMBER THREE CYLINDER EXHAUST PUSH ROD ASSEMBLY.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,push rod - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING SOLO FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AS PART OF HIS INSTRUCTIONAL SYLLABUS WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED VIBRATING AS THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING ON THE CROSSWIND LEG. THE PILOT LEVELED THE AIRPLANE, ELECTED TO MAINTAIN THE CROSSWIND HEADING INSTEAD OF TURNING DOWNWIND FOR LANDING, AND ATTEMPTED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE ENGINE PROBLEM. THE AIRPLANE STARTED LOSING ALTITUDE AS THE PILOT CONTINUED WITH THE IN FLIGHT FUEL MIXTURE ADJUSTMENTS AND APPLICATIONS OF CARBURETOR HEAT. THE PILOT SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING AND DURING THE DESCENT TOWARD AN OPEN AREA, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FRACTURED PUSH ROD ASSEMBLY ON THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6614P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6614P-1999-11-02), registration cancelled 1999-11-02, S/N 15285038 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15285038
- Airframe hours: 5587
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Central Texas College
- Registered owner: Central Texas College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 5, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: ILE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 57 total, 57 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920806029599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920806029599A), Aug 6, 1992: Cessna 152, Killeen, TX, Substantial damage. Rough engine losing power in pattern. Struck trees on forced landing. NR3 cylinder exhaust valve push rod broken.

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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