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NTSB Report
August 25, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N67803
Selbyville, DE
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 25, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Selbyville, DE
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N67803
Operator
Atlantic Coastal Aerial Adv
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO89LA073
THE ACFT HAD JUST CLIMBED OUT AFTER A BANNER PICKUP WHEN THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. THE PLT ADJUSTED THE MIXTURE & THE ENG TEMPORARILY SMOOTHED OUT. ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER, THE ENG RAN ROUGH AGAIN & THE PLT RELEASED THE BANNER. THE ENG BEGAN A SEVERE VIBRATION, BACKFIRED, & QUIT RUNNING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT NOSED OVER DRG AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SOYBEAN FIELD. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THE #4 EXHAUST LOBE OF THE CAMSHAFT WAS WORN & THAT THE $4 EXHAUST TAPPET WAS IN POOR CONDITION. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE #4 CONNECTING ROD HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO HIGH TEMP.
NTSB Probable Cause
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE NUMBER FOUR EXHAUST LOBE ON THE CAMSHAFT AND POOR CONDITION (WEAR) OF THE NUMBER FOUR EXHAUST TAPPET. THE SOYBEAN CROP IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT HAD JUST CLIMBED OUT AFTER A BANNER PICKUP WHEN THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. THE PLT ADJUSTED THE MIXTURE & THE ENG TEMPORARILY SMOOTHED OUT. ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER, THE ENG RAN ROUGH AGAIN & THE PLT RELEASED THE BANNER. THE ENG BEGAN A SEVERE VIBRATION, BACKFIRED, & QUIT RUNNING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT NOSED OVER DRG AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SOYBEAN FIELD. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THE #4 EXHAUST LOBE OF THE CAMSHAFT WAS WORN & THAT THE $4 EXHAUST TAPPET WAS IN POOR CONDITION. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE #4 CONNECTING ROD HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO HIGH TEMP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:25 EDT
Nearest AirportWarrington (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN67803
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAtlantic Coastal Aerial Adv
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A2F · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 5 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO