# NTSB NYC03LA134: Cessna 150L, N18146, Mount Holly, NJ, June 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2003, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Mount Holly, NJ - Coordinates: 39.942779, -74.845558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9428&lon=-74.8456&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57287 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57287/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA134 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot began the takeoff roll after a normal preflight inspection and engine run up. The airplane accelerated and lifted off normally; however, at an altitude of about 75 feet, the engine began to "cough, sputter and miss." The airplane cleared utility poles and wires located off the departure end of the runway, and the pilot then made a 90-degree turn in an attempt to return to the airport. After the turn, the engine "quit completely" and the pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to a soybean field. During the landing, the airplane's nose pitched down and impacted the ground in a nose low attitude. The airplane then flipped over. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Fuel observed in both wing fuel tanks, the gascolator and carburetor was absent of contamination. The pilot reported that the airplane was refueled and flown for about 2/10 of an hour, about 2 weeks prior to the accident. The airplane had been operated for about 7 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 4 months prior to the accident. . ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2003, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N18146, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after takeoff from South Jersey Regional Airport (VAY), Mount Holly, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection, which included draining fuel samples from both wing fuel tanks. The fuel that was drained from the right fuel tank was clear; however, he initially observed "a few drops of brown fluid" in the fuel that was drained from the left fuel tank. The pilot performed a normal engine run up and departed from the first taxiway intersection of runway 26, a 3,911-foot-long, asphalt runway. The airplane accelerated and lifted off normally; however, at an altitude of about 75 feet, the engine began to "cough, sputter and miss." The airplane cleared the utility poles and wires located off the departure end of the runway, and the pilot then made a 90-degree turn in an attempt to return to the airport. After the turn, the engine "quit completely" and the pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to a soybean field. During the landing, the airplane's nose pitched down and impacted the ground at approximately a 45 to 50 degree angle. The airplane then flipped over. The pilot reported that the airplane was refueled and flown for about 2/10 of an hour, about 2 weeks prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Fuel observed in both wing fuel tanks, the gascolator and carburetor was absent of contamination. Both magnetos produced spark when rotated. The engine was rotated and compression was attained on cylinders two, three, and four. Further examination of the number one cylinder revealed that the cylinder sustained impact damage in the area of the exhaust port, and that the exhaust valve was open. The airplane had been operated for about 7 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed on February 16, 2003. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18146](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18146-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 15073819, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15073819 - Airframe hours: 1711 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harold R. Collins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 2003, 5 hours before - Departed: VAY, Mount Holly, NJ - Airport: VAY, South Jersey Regional, runway 26, 3,911 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 22, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 4,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: VAY, 1 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 20030623017459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030623017459A), Jun 23, 2003: Cessna 150L, Lumberton, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) June 23, 2003, app. 1030 EDT, a CE-150 was damaged during an off airport landing due to a possible engine failure. No mechanical reason could be found… ## Other investigations on N18146 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC75DHA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75DHA03), Jul 14, 1974: Cessna 150 (N18146), Gilbertville, PA, substantial damage 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.