# NTSB LAX08LA055: Cessna 152, N49811, Palo Alto, CA, February 1, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 1, 2008, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Palo Alto, CA - Coordinates: 37.45, -122.099998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4500&lon=-122.1000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67462 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67462/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA055 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb due to lack of compression to a cylinder. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2071835), [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. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to the accident flight, a maintenance inspection was performed. A piece of the baffling was found in the throat of the carburetor venturi. The carburetor was inspected and reinstalled on the airplane. On the accident flight, the pilot/mechanic performed a post maintenance run-up with no mechanical problems noted. She taxied the airplane to the runway for takeoff and performed another run-up. Again there were no mechanical problems noted, and all the gages showed normal indications. On the takeoff roll the engine developed 2,300 rpm’s. About 500 feet mean sea level (msl), she noticed a hesitation in the engine and decided to make a 180-degree turn back to the runway. The airplane was still high on the approach, so the pilot reduced the airspeed, performed S-turns, and then slipped the airplane to lose altitude. She was still high, and about halfway down the runway, she further reduced the airspeed, which increased the sink rate. She lowered the nose to slow the sink rate, and was in the process of raising the nose again to flare for landing when the nose struck the runway. An inspection of the engine revealed zero compression of the number 1 cylinder with blow-by past the piston rings and exhaust valve. Maintenance personnel also noted that the bottom number 1 cylinder spark plug was "excessively" fouled with carbon deposits. There were no problems noted with the carburetor. ## Factual narrative On February 1, 2008, at 0830 Pacific standard time, a single-engine Cessna 152, N49811, experienced a loss of engine power on takeoff and landed hard following an emergency landing on runway 13 at Palo Alto Airport of Santa Clara County (PAO), Palo Alto, California. West Valley Flying Club operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a positioning flight. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained structural damage to the firewall and fuselage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that was originating at the time of the accident. The flight was destined for San Carlos Airport (SQL), San Carlos, California, and no flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot’s written statement, she reported that during maintenance work the previous day, a piece of baffling was found in the throat of the carburetor venturi. The carburetor was removed, cleaned, inspected, and reinstalled. The following morning, she performed a post maintenance run-up inspection and then intended to return the airplane to SQL. After start up, she performed a run-up, and all indications were normal. She taxied to runway 31 where she performed another run-up with no problems noted. On the takeoff roll, the engine developed 2,300 rpm’s, and all gages were in the "green." On climb out, she reported a 600-foot-per-minute climb at 70 knots. She lowered the nose to reduce the climb rate, but left the throttle and mixture in the full forward position. About 500 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine experienced a "hesitation." The pilot stated that she did not believe she could complete the pattern and land on runway 31, so she made a 180-degree turn back to runway 13 and informed the controller of her intent to land. With the runway in front of her, she reduced the airspeed to just above a stall and performed a "couple of S-turns and then slipped the [airplane]." The pilot stated that the airplane was still high and she was concerned about overshooting the runway. About halfway down the runway in an attempt to lose altitude, she reduced the airspeed as much as possible and the sink rate increased. She lowered the nose and attempted to slow the sink rate, and then raised the nose again to flare prior to landing; however, the sink rate was too high and she was not able to raise the nose before it struck the runway. Rossi Aircraft, Inc., Palo Alto, California, performed an engine inspection. The engine inspection revealed that the bottom number 1 cylinder spark plug was "excessively" fouled with carbon deposits. The other spark plugs exhibited normal operating signatures. Maintenance personnel performed a compression check of all the cylinders. Cylinder numbers 2, 3, and 4 showed normal compression results. The number 1 cylinder had zero compression. Maintenance personnel reported blow-by past the piston rings and exhaust valve of the number 1 cylinder. The carburetor heat box was inspected with no damage noted that would have restricted the airflow; however, the seals were missing. The carburetor was removed and inspected with no mechanical discrepancies noted; they did note about 2 ounces of water in the fuel bowl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49811](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49811-2011-02-28), registration cancelled 2011-02-28, S/N 15281332, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15281332 - Airframe hours: 6730 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: West Valley Flying Club - Registered owner: Kevin R Pinger - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 2007, 50 hours before - Departed: PAO, Palo Alto, CA - Destination: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA - Airport: PAO, Palo Alto Airport, runway 13, 2,443 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 3, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 905 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: PAO ## 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 20080201010409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080201010409A), Feb 1, 2008: Cessna 152, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) N49811, a Cessna 152, was brought to its maintenance base (kpao) due to a squawk that complained the engine was running rich and not developing full… 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.