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January 8, 1982 · Cessna 152 · N46681

Cutchogue, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 8, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cutchogue, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N46681
Operator
Ambassador Leasing
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC82DA019

AFTER EXPERIENCING A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN FLIGHT, THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, AND HEADED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. THERE WAS A GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER AND THE INSTRUCTOR ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE FIELD WAS SMALL, AND IN PLACES, IT HAD MUD UP TO ONE FOOT DEEP. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 75 TO 100 FT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER ONE EXHAUST VALVE ADJUSTING SCREW NUT HAD COME OFF AND JAMMED THE INTAKE VALVE SPRING RESULTING IN A BENT INTAKE VALVE PUSH ROD. ALSO, THE EXHAUST VALVE ADJUSTING SCREW WAS 1 1/4 TURNS FROM COMPLETELY BACKING OFF THE ROCKER ARM. WHEN CHECKED, THE EXHAUST VALVE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE INTAKE VALVE WOULD BARELY OPEN DUE TO THE LARGE CLEARANCE PROVIDED BY THE BENT PUSH ROD.

Full Narrative

AFTER EXPERIENCING A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN FLIGHT, THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, AND HEADED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. THERE WAS A GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER AND THE INSTRUCTOR ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE FIELD WAS SMALL, AND IN PLACES, IT HAD MUD UP TO ONE FOOT DEEP. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 75 TO 100 FT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER ONE EXHAUST VALVE ADJUSTING SCREW NUT HAD COME OFF AND JAMMED THE INTAKE VALVE SPRING RESULTING IN A BENT INTAKE VALVE PUSH ROD. ALSO, THE EXHAUST VALVE ADJUSTING SCREW WAS 1 1/4 TURNS FROM COMPLETELY BACKING OFF THE ROCKER ARM. WHEN CHECKED, THE EXHAUST VALVE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE INTAKE VALVE WOULD BARELY OPEN DUE TO THE LARGE CLEARANCE PROVIDED BY THE BENT PUSH ROD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:25 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN46681
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmbassador Leasing
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 15 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data