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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 23, 1994 · Cessna 150G · N3221J

Rhine, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 23, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Rhine, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 150G
Tail Number
N3221J
Operator
Maclauchlin Reid C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA030

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE ABOUT 90 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, ACCOMPANIED BY AN RPM DROP. THREE MINUTES LATER, THE RPM DROPPED AGAIN, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM AN EMERGENCY LANDING. HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON A SMALL AG STRIP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A DITCH. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER ROCKER SHAFT BOSSES HAD FAILED. AD 94-05-05, WHICH REQUIRES INSPECTION OF THE BOSSES, HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH. NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE WAS FOUND ON THE FRACTURE SURFACES. THE REASON FOR THE ROCKER SHAFT BOSS FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER ROCKER SHAFT BOSSES, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND AN EVENTUAL EMERGENCY LANDING.

Full Narrative

On December 23, 1994, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150G, N3221J, collided with a ditch during a forced landing at Rhine, Georgia. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Columbia, South Carolina. The flight originated in Tallahassee, Florida, at 1230. The pilot reported that 90 minutes into the flight, the engine began to vibrate, and the engine rpm dropped to 2,100. He checked the magnetos, carburetor heat, and mixture; everything appeared stable. About three minutes later, the rpm dropped to 1,700, and he prepared for an emergency landing. He landed the airplane on a small agricultural landing strip. He was unable to stop the aircraft in the remaining runway, and the aircraft collided with a ditch. After the accident, the engine was examined by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration. He reported that both rocker shaft bosses of the number two cylinder had failed, and were broken away from the cylinder head. He observed no evidence of fatigue on the fracture surfaces. An examination of the maintenance records revealed that Airworthiness Directive 94-05-05, which requires inspection of the rocker shaft bosses, had been complied with. The reason for the rocker shaft boss failures was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150G
Tail NumberN3221J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMaclauchlin Reid C
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 13 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data