IAD05LA026

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150C · East Moriches, NY · December 25, 2004

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
December 25, 2004, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
Place
East Moriches, NY
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N7857ZCessna 150C
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 28, 2005
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FAA FSDO-11
FAA report
20041225035639A
Case key
60775

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

Several mechanical deficiencies which either independently or collectively resulted in a subsequent loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the obstruction in the forced landing area.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malfClimb
Engine assembly,cylinder - compressionCause
Engine assembly,connecting rod - wornCause
Aircraft performance,climb capability - reduced
Forced landingDescent - emergency
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Object - undeterminedFactor

Analysis

On departure from the Spadaro Airport (1N2), East Moriches, New York, the airplane's engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot attempted to restore full power by using the carburetor heat control, without result. He then performed a forced landing on a road. The airplane bounced, and touched down in a field. During the rollout the airplane struck an obstruction nosed over and was substantially damaged. Examination of the wreckage, revealed that the fuel tanks appeared to be almost full. Fuel was drained from the airplane and no contamination was observed. An examination of the engine was also conducted. Crankshaft and camshaft continuity was confirmed. The magnetos produced spark at all spark plugs. During A differential pressure test, air could be heard to discharge at the oil filler/crankcase breather and cylinders #1 and #3, exhibited readings below the leakage limits. During an internal inspection of the #1 and #3 cylinders, heavy carbon deposits were found on both the cylinder heads and valves. Wear was also visually observed on the cylinder walls and both rod end bearings exhibited excessive play. The airplane had received an annual inspection 55 flight hours prior to the accident and the engine was 164 flight hours short of the recommended overhaul time.

Factual narrative

On December 25, 2004, about 1445 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150C, N7857Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power during the initial climb from the Spadaro Airport (1N2), East Moriches, New York. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot's written statement, on departure from 1N2 the airplane's engine experienced a partial loss of power. He attempted to restore full power by using the carburetor heat control, however the engine continued to lose power so he shut off the carburetor heat. He then elected to perform a forced landing on a road. Upon landing, the airplane bounced, and touched down in a field. During the rollout the airplane struck an obstruction with the nose wheel, nosed over and came to rest inverted, damaging the propeller, nose gear, cowling and vertical stabilizer.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, revealed that the fuel tanks had remained intact and appeared to be almost full. Fuel was drained from the gascolator and each fuel tank, and no contamination was observed.

A post accident examination by an airframe and powerplant mechanic of the airplane's engine was conducted. When the crankshaft was rotated by hand, crankshaft and camshaft continuity was confirmed. The magnetos produced spark at all top and bottom spark plugs. A differential pressure test was also conducted in accordance with Teledyne Continental Motors service bulletin SB03-3. According to the mechanic, while performing the test, air could be heard to discharge at the oil filler/crankcase breather and cylinders #1 and #3, exhibited cylinder differential pressure test readings below the leakage limits.

During an interview with the mechanic conducted on February 9, 2005, the mechanic stated that he believed the engine was "tired" and that during an internal inspection of the #1 and #3 cylinders, he found heavy carbon deposits on both the cylinder heads and valves. Wear was also visually observed on the cylinder walls and both rod end bearings exhibited excessive play.

The airplane had received an annual inspection 55 flight hours prior to the accident and the engine was 164 flight hours short of the recommended overhaul time.

Aircraft

Registration
N7857Z
Reported as
Cessna 150C
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15059957
Airframe hours
4,341
Engine
Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · July 1, 2004 · 55 hours before
Departed
1N2 · East Moriches, NY
Destination
1N2 · East Moriches, NY
Airport
1N2 · Spadaro Airport, runway 36, 2,200 × 20 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
64
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
September 6, 2003
Seat
Left
Flight hours
1,063 total · 164 in this make and model · 622 as pilot in command · 136 in the last 90 days · 7 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
340° at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
32 °F, dew point 12 °F
Altimeter
30.27 inHg
Observed at
HWV, 5 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.