# NTSB NYC97LA184: Cessna 150L, N6865G, Easton, NY, September 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1997, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Easton, NY - Coordinates: 43.079223, -73.490104 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0792&lon=-73.4901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39435/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA184 ## Probable cause mechanical binding of the number three exhaust valve, and the pilot/owner's improper planning/decision by failing to ensure the engine was operating properly before takeoff. A related factor was: the pilot/owner's failure to ensure that annual maintenance was performed. ## 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 - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - binding(mechanical) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis A witness reported, the airplane's engine ran 'real rough' when started, and the pilot waited 30 to 45 minutes to warm the engine before departing. During the initial takeoff climb, the airplane's engine lost power. Unable to climb, the pilot attempted to perform an emergency landing, and the airplane struck trees. Examination of the airplane's engine revealed that the number three cylinder exhaust valve was stuck in the open position. The airplane had flown about 35 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on 7/13/94. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 1997, about 1050 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N6865G, was substantially damaged when it impacted tress during the initial takeoff climb from Garnsey Field, Easton, New York. The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said after performing a preflight inspection, he started the airplane and taxied to the south end of the runway to perform his run-up procedures. He further stated: "...The take-off RPM was around 2500, until I was about 500 feet past the end of the runway and climbing. The power dropped back to 2000 RPM with substantial vibration. I was unable to climb...I was unable to avoid the tops of trees in front of field for emergency landing." A friend of the pilot who witnessed the accident, stated: "...[I] waited for him to warm up the engine. It ran real rough at first....He warmed it up for 30 to 45 minutes...He said he was going to taxi to the other end of the runway and if it sounded OK he would takeoff. He took off North and did not seem to be gaining altitude and banked to the right and the next thing we heard was the crunch of hitting trees..." Examination of the airplane's engine by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the number three cylinder exhaust valve was stuck in the open position. A review of the airplane's log book by the FAA Inspector revealed the airplane had flown about 35 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed on July 13, 1994. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6865G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6865G-2002-11-04), registration cancelled 2002-11-04, S/N 15072365, built 1970 (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: 15072365 - Airframe hours: 2440 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David C. Williams - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1994, 35 hours before - Departed: B04, NY - Airport: B04, Garnseys, runway 2, 2,600 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 574 total, 540 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ALB, 22 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 19970921047639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970921047639A), Sep 21, 1997: Cessna 150L, Easton, NY, Substantial damage. (-17) Aircraft log - last annual inspection date - 07/13/94. Engine log - inspected date - 07/13/94. Investigation of engine - #3 cylinder exhaust valve stuck… 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.