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NTSB Report

June 26, 2003 · Cessna 150F · N8517G

Williamson, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Williamson, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 150F
Tail Number
N8517G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA137

As the airplane was climbing, with the student pilot at the controls, the engine began to run rough. The certified flight instructor (CFI) took over the controls and elected to perform a forced landing to an apple orchard. During the forced landing, the left and right wings struck trees. The airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the engine revealed a fractured cylinder rocker shaft boss to the number one cylinder. The fracture was consistent with fatigue. An Airworthiness Directive, published in 1994, was issued to prevent possible engine power loss and subsequent engine failure. The AD required that maintenance personnel inspect the cylinder rocker shaft bosses for cracks at the next cylinder removal from the engine or engine overhaul, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of the AD. A revised AD became effective in 1996. Review of the airplane's engine maintenance records indicated that the last engine overhaul and cylinder removal was accomplished in 1977.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of a rocker arm shaft boss, which resulted in a partial loss of power and subsequent forced landing. A factor was the unsuitable terrain.

Full Narrative

On June 26, 2003, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N8517G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after experiencing a partial loss of engine power near Williamson, New York. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the flight had departed the Williamson-Sodus Airport (3G7) in Williamson, about 1330, and remained in the traffic pattern with the student pilot at the controls. After conducting a fourth touch-and-go, as the airplane was climbing, the engine began to run rough. The CFI took the controls and elected to perform a forced landing to an apple orchard. During the forced landing, the left and right wings struck trees. The airplane came to rest upright. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane after the accident and observed substantial damage to both wings. The inspector also noted that when the engine was rotated using the propeller blades, the number one cylinder did not develop compression. The valve box cover was removed, and a fractured cylinder rocker shaft boss was observed. The inspector added that the fracture on the boss was consistent with fatigue. Airworthiness Directive (AD) 94-05-05 R1, published in 1994, was issued to prevent possible engine power loss and subsequent engine failure. The AD required that maintenance personnel inspect the cylinder rocker shaft bosses for cracks at the next cylinder removal from the engine or engine overhaul, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of the AD. A revised AD became effective in 1996. Review of the airplane's engine maintenance records indicated that the last engine overhaul and cylinder removal was accomplished in 1977. The engine had accumulated about 2,003 hours of operation since it's manufacture in 1966, and about 700 hours of operation since the overhaul. An annual inspection of the airframe and engine was performed during September 2002.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportWilliamson-Sodus Airport (2nm W)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150F
Tail NumberN8517G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class · None
Crew 2None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 11 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.85 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data