Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

September 10, 2010 · Cessna 150 · N7922E

Fayetteville, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 2010
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Fayetteville, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N7922E
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA10LA475

The pilot stated that during the initial climb the airplane engine's rpm gauge indicated 1900 and the airplane would not gain altitude which resulted in a forced landing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed fuel in the fuel tanks and carburetor system. All cylinders had compression when checked. The right magneto developed sparks to all corresponding plugs. The left magneto produced spark to one plug only. A teardown examination of the left magneto revealed the distributor gear had 12 gear teeth sheared from the disk. Review of the engine's maintenance records showed that the ignition system had several inspections as required by airworthiness directives and service bulletins (SB) throughout its time in service. The distributor gear was required to be replaced with a redesigned gear as outlined in SB658; however, both magnetos had the old-style distributor gear, dating to before 1978. Additionally, the gear tooth separation was noted starting and ending at the magneto timing block location marker. The manufacturer of the magneto warned not to use a gear holding tool during installation, which may cause hidden damage to the distributor gear and subsequent engine failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the failure of the left magneto system’s distributor gear as a result of the improper maintenance of the magnetos by maintenance personnel.

Full Narrative

On September 10, 2010, at about 1315 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N7922E, owned and operated by a private individual, incurred substantial damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Fayette Airport (WV59), Fayetteville, West Virginia. The airline transport rated pilot and the private pilot passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, personal flight. The pilot stated that the preflight and ground run prior to flight were unremarkable. During the initial climb the airplane engine's rpm gage indicated 1900 and the airplane would not gain altitude. He elected to land in a field and the airplane collided with trees before impacting the ground. The pilot was able to call for assistance and both pilots were taken to the hospital due to their injuries. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that post recovery examination of the airplane revealed fuel in the fuel tanks and observed up to the carburetor system. All cylinders had compression when checked. The right magneto developed sparks to all corresponding plugs. The left magneto produced spark to one plug only. The magnetos, carburetor, and spark plugs were retained for further testing. A review of the airplane maintenance records revealed that the last annual inspection was on April 27, 2010 ,at 2,512 total hours. The magnetos were inspected on August 11, 1994 at 2418 total hours, March 6, 1996 at total 2422, and October 14, 2002 at 2,459 total hours. Examination of the left magneto with National Transportation Safety Board oversight revealed that the exterior appearance of the magneto was consistent with the unit having been in service for a length of time. No exterior damage was observed and the magneto rotated when done so by hand with internal discrepancies noted. When it was disassembled the distributor gear was observed with 12 each gear teeth sheared from the disk, which the sheared gears were recovered within the magneto assembly. The separation was noted starting/ending at the magneto timing block location marker. The distributor cap was observed with indications of arching in-between the housing area. The coil and condenser were tested and found unremarkable. It was noted that the magnetos were required to have the riveted style impulse coupling checked every 100 hours in service as per Airworthiness Directive (AD) 78-09-07, AD 96-12-07, and AD 2005-12-06 and it's identifiable by the missing mark "A" in the lower right corner of the magneto's data plate. Any time after the year 1978, when the magneto was opened, in the case of a riveted impulse coupling examination, the distributor gear was required to be replaced with the updated distributor gear, if not done so as per Teledyne Continental Ignition Systems, Service Bulletin 658. Both magnetos had the old style distributor gear, dating prior to 1978. Teledyne Continental Ignition Systems, Service Bulletin 658 makes warning reference not to use any gear holding tool for this may cause hidden damage to the distributor gear and subsequent engine failure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN7922E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · 0-200 SERIES · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 21 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data