# NTSB IAD05LA026: Cessna 150C, N7857Z, East Moriches, NY, December 25, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 25, 2004, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: East Moriches, NY - Coordinates: 40.827777, -72.748611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8278&lon=-72.7486&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-11 - NTSB case key (mKey): 60775 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60775/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA026 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - engine assembly,cylinder - compression (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - worn (cause) - aircraft performance,climb capability - reduced - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - undetermined (contributing factor) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7857Z-2005-06-13), registration cancelled 2005-06-13, S/N 15059957, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150C - Registry model: [Cessna 150C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150c) (registry code 2071808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15059957 - Airframe hours: 4341 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20041225035639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041225035639A), Dec 25, 2004: Cessna 150C, East Moriches, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) 12-25-2004-N7857Z lost power at 300 ft after departing runway 36 at 1N2 and impacted terrain causing substantial damage to the aircraft and minor… 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.