# NTSB MIA97LA026: Cessna 150, N2428J, Gulf Shores, AL, November 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 1996, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Gulf Shores, AL - Coordinates: 30.27099, -87.70079 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2710&lon=-87.7008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38178 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38178/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA026 ## Probable cause Inadequate maintenance/inspection of the aircraft engine, which allowed continued use of a deteriorated ignition harness and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - ignition system,ignition harness - deteriorated - ignition system,ignition harness - cracked - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis After takeoff, the engine lost power. The aircraft would not maintain altitude, and while the pilot was attempting to make a forced landing in a field, the aircraft collided with brush and trees. During postcrash testing, the engine would not operate above 2,400 rpm, and power output deteriorated further as the engine continued to run. The left ignition harness was deteriorated and had cracks in the insulation. The left ignition harness was replaced, and the engine operated normally. The engine received a annual inspection on May 27, 1996, 43 flight hours before the accident. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 1996, about 1130 central standard time, a Cessna 150, N2428J, registered to a private owner, crashed when the engine lost power during takeoff from a private strip near Gulf Shores, Alabama, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that while climbing through about 80 feet agl after takeoff to the south, the engine lost about 400 rpm. He turned the aircraft to the east toward a sod farm adjacent to the strip. The aircraft would not maintain altitude and touched down in brush and trees before reaching the farm. The aircraft came to rest on the farm. The engine was removed from the aircraft and placed on an engine test stand. The engine started and advanced to 2,400 rpm before stumbling. The left magneto had a large rpm drop. The No. 4 cylinder was running cool. The left ignition harness was replaced and the engine operated smoothly at 2,784 rpm for 10 minutes, without further malfunction. The left ignition harness was worn and had breaks in the wires. See attached FAA and Continental Motors report. A completed NTSB form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, was not received from the pilot/operator of N2428J. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2428J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2428J-2000-05-19), registration cancelled 2000-05-19, S/N 15065528 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15065528 - Airframe hours: 3259 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chad S. Palmer - Registered owner: Terry A. Duke - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1996, 42 hours before - Airport: Kiwi Field, runway 18, 2,464 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 695 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BFM, 28 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 19961120045419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961120045419A), Nov 20, 1996: Cessna 150G, Gulfshores, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on initial climbout. Tried for sod farm. Landed in brush. Ignition harness worn with breaks in wires. 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.