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NTSB Report

October 19, 1997 · Cessna 150M · N7814U

Miami, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 19, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N7814U
Operator
William B Tinkham
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL98LA003

About 10 minutes into the flight, at a cruise altitude of 1000 feet, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. He radioed a 'mayday' call and selected a nearby golf course for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with a palm tree during the emergency landing roll. Examination of the engine assembly revealed that number one cylinder lower spark plug was partially separated from the cylinder. During the subsequent engine teardown, the number one exhaust valve head was recovered from inside the cylinder. The examination also of the exhaust valve stem and the valve stem keepers showed excessive wear. The valve stem keepers had also separated from their normally installed positions. A review of the aircraft maintenance logs disclosed that the engine had undergone several major engine repairs, involving the valve assemblies, within the last ten years. An engine top overhaul was completed 370 hours before this accident. The engine had accumulated a total of 5,603 hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

excessive wear to the number one valve stem and valve stem keepers that resulted in the separation of the valve assembly.

Full Narrative

On October 19, 1997, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N7814U, collided with a palm tree during a forced landing to a golf course on Fisher Island, in Miami, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot was not injured, but the passenger received minor injuries. The flight departed Miami, Florida, at 1020. According to the pilot, about 10 minutes into the flight, at a cruise altitude of 1000 feet, he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot radioed a "mayday" call and selected a nearby golf course for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with a palm tree during the emergency landing roll. Examination of the aircraft at the accident site disclosed that flight and engine control systems operated normally. Examination of the engine assembly revealed that number one cylinder lower spark plug was partially separated from the cylinder. There was also engine oil noticed inside the lower engine cowling. Attempts, to rotate the engine through one complete revolution, failed. During a subsequent engine teardown, the number one exhaust valve stem head was recovered from inside the cylinder. The examination of the exhaust valve stem and the valve stem keepers showed excessive wear. The valve stem keepers had separated from their normally installed positions. A review of the aircraft maintenance logs disclosed that the engine had undergone several major engine repairs, involving the valve assemblies, within the last ten years. An engine top overhaul was completed 370 hours before this accident. The engine had accumulated a total of 5,603 hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN7814U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam B Tinkham
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data