# NTSB NYC93LA031: Cessna 150H, N6402S, Mt. Gilead, OH, October 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1992, 17:53 local (22:53 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Gilead, OH
- Coordinates: 40.550514, -82.8292 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5505&lon=-82.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA031

## Probable cause

PILOT INCAPACITATION DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE GAS AS A RESULT OF CRACKS IN THE HEATER MUFFLER.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PROGRESSIVE DETERIORATION OF THE LEFT HEATER MUFFLER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - exhaust system,muffler - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,muffler - cracked (cause)
  - physical impairment(carbon monoxide), pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE CONTROL TOWER AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AND IN A DESCENT FROM FIVE THOUSAND FEET TO TWO THOUSAND FEET IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING.  SEVEN MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED, ON RADAR, FLYING AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST.  GROUND WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE FLYING STRAIGHT AND LEVEL AT A  LOW ALTITUDE OVER A WOODED AREA WHEN THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE.  A TOXICOLOGY ON THE PILOT REVEALED CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE PILOT'S BLOOD. EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT HEATER/EXHAUST MUFFLER, THE SOURCE OF HEAT TO THE CABIN, SHOWED IT HAD DETERIORATED AND HAD THREE CRACKS.  TWO CRACKS WHERE FOUND ON THE MUFFLER TUBE AND ONE ON THE FORWARD END PLATE.  THE THREE CRACKS WERE INTERGRANULAR AND SHOWED SOME OXIDATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6402S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6402S-1994-03-23), registration cancelled 1994-03-23, S/N 15067202 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15067202
- Airframe hours: 6108
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: George Wharton
- Registered owner: George Wharton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: I78, MARYSVILLE, OH
- Destination: I78
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 39 total, 39 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F

## 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 19921031044449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921031044449A), Oct 31, 1992: Cessna 150H, Mansfield, OH, Substantial damage. During approach to airport lost control and crashed into trees. High carbon monoxide level. Left muffler cracked.

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.

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