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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 4, 2011 · Cessna 150L · N150ET

Plymouth, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Plymouth, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 150L
Tail Number
N150ET
Operator
Richard C Murphy
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11LA383

During initial climb, the engine began to run rough and experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot elected to land straight ahead into a cranberry bog. The pilot believed the loss of engine power was due to a stuck cylinder valve. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 cylinder intake and exhaust valve springs exhibited excessive corrosion and carbon deposits, consistent with lack of use, which made them more susceptible to sticking. The extent of the corrosion was such that it presented over a long period of time and should have been addressed during routine maintenance. No other defects were noted with the engine that would have resulted in a partial loss of power. The airplane had been operated for 17 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was completed 11 months prior to the accident. The engine had been operated for 256 hours since its most recent overhaul, which was completed more than 10 years prior to the accident. The same airplane was involved in a forced landing to a cranberry bog 8 years earlier due to a stuck cylinder valve.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to a stuck cylinder valve, which resulted from excessive corrosion and carbon deposits on the valve springs due to inadequate maintenance.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 2011, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N150ET, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a cranberry bog, following a partial loss of engine power during takeoff from Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned local flight. The pilot reported that during initial climb, the engine began to run rough and experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot elected to land straight ahead into a cranberry bog. During the landing, the landing gear, propeller, and engine firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot further stated that the loss of engine power was due to a stuck cylinder valve. Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the No. 2 cylinder intake and exhaust valve springs exhibited corrosion and carbon deposits. The other cylinder valve springs also exhibited corrosion, consistent with lack of operation; however, they did not exhibit the carbon build-up similar to the No. 2 cylinder valve springs. The inspector also checked the fuel system, cylinder compression, sparkplugs, the carburetor, and the exhaust system, and no other defects were noted. According to maintenance records, the airplane had been operated for 17 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on August 14, 2010. The engine had been operated for 256 hours since its most recent overhaul, which was completed more than 10 years prior to the accident. Review of FAA records revealed that the same airplane was involved in a forced landing to a cranberry bog in 2003, due to a stuck cylinder valve.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest AirportPLYMOUTH (1nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150L
Tail NumberN150ET
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard C Murphy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.79 inHg
Observation Time16:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data