# NTSB NYC04LA186: Cessna 150E, N6159T, Marlboro, MA, August 7, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 2004, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Marlboro, MA - Coordinates: 42.33472, -71.514999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3347&lon=-71.5150&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 59852 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59852/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA186 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to a stuck cylinder exhaust valve. Factors were the tailwind and a jammed engine cylinder exhaust valve. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - jammed (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Overrun, emergency landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane engine began to run rough about 1,000 feet agl, during the initial climb from runway 32; a 1,659-foot-long, 45-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot initiated a 180-degree left turn back toward runway 14, and reduced engine power to approximately 2,000 rpm, which reduced the engine vibration. The airplane approached runway 14 fast, and touched down within the first one-half of the runway. The airplane then bounced and floated past the midpoint of the runway. There was insufficient runway remaining to stop the airplane, and the pilot elected to abort the landing. However, during the initial climb from runway 14, the airplane struck trees and landed in a field off the departure end of the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the number four cylinder exhaust valve was stuck in the closed position. The airplane had accumulated 8 hours of operation since the last annual inspection was performed; which was about 9 months prior to the accident. The reported wind at an airport about 10 miles east of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 340 degrees at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 2004, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150E, N6159T, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees, following an aborted landing at Marlboro Airport (9B1), Marlboro, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Marlboro Airport; destined for Fitchburg Municipal Airport, Fitchburg, Massachusetts. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he departed from runway 32 at 9B1; a 1,659-foot-long, 45-foot-wide, asphalt runway. During the initial climb, about 1,000 feet agl, the engine began to run rough. The pilot initiated a 180-degree left turn toward runway 14, and reduced engine power to approximately 2,000 rpm. The pilot further stated that the engine vibrated less at the lower rpm setting. The airplane approached runway 14 "fast," and touched down within the first one-half of the runway. The airplane then bounced and floated past the midpoint of the runway. There was insufficient runway remaining to stop the airplane, and the pilot elected to abort the landing. However, during the initial climb from runway 14, the airplane struck trees and landed in a field off the departure end of the runway. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the number four cylinder exhaust valve was stuck in the closed position. The pilot reported that the most recent annual inspection was performed on the airplane on November 20, 2003. The airplane had accumulated 8 hours of operation since that inspection. The pilot reported 303 hours of total flight experience; of which, 170 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The pilot added that although he had practiced total loss of engine power procedures many times, he had never practiced partial loss of engine power procedures. Review of the FAA Practical Test Standards for a private pilot applicant revealed that "partial or complete power loss," and "engine roughness or overheat," were two items in which an applicant could be tested to analyze the situation and take appropriate action. However, an applicant was not required to be tested for those two items. The reported wind at an airport about 10 miles east of the accident site, at 0856, was from 340 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6159T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6159T-2019-07-24), registration cancelled 2019-07-24, S/N 15060859, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150E - Registry model: [Cessna 150E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150e) (registry code 2071812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15060859 - Airframe hours: 2658 - Engines: Lycoming O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David S. Reasner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2003, 8 hours before - Departed: 9B1, Marlboro, MA - Destination: FIT, Fitchburg, MA - Airport: 9B1, Marlboro Airport, runway 14, 1,659 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 14, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 303 total, 170 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: BED, 10 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 20040807016859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040807016859A), Aug 7, 2004: Cessna 150E, Marlboro, MA, Destroyed. (-23) N6159T in climb out of 9B1 developed severe engine vibration and loss of engine power. Pilot as sole occupant tried to land in a field near 9B1. Pilot… 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.