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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 22, 2011 · Cessna 152 · N6436P

Princeton, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 22, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Princeton, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N6436P
Operator
Ascend Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA077

The student pilot conducted two takeoffs and landings without incident. During initial climb after the third takeoff, he heard a loud “pop,” and the airplane started to vibrate severely and lose engine power. He executed a forced landing to a nearby field. The airplane landed hard and nosed over during the landing roll. The examination of the airplane revealed that the lower spark plug from the No. 2 cylinder and its associated threaded insert were missing. The threads in the top portion of the spark plug hole were stripped, and only the bottom three threads remained. No other engine anomalies were observed. The engine maintenance logbook indicated that, 7 days prior to the accident, the Nos. 1 and 2 cylinders had new threaded inserts installed in the lower spark plug holes.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate installation of the threaded insert in the No. 2 cylinder spark plug hole by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power during initial climb.

Full Narrative

On November 22, 2011, at 1055 central standard time, a Cessna C-152, N6436P, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a field after a partial loss of power near the Princeton Municipal Airport (PNM), Princeton, Minnesota. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Ascend Aviation LLC and was being operated by the student pilot as an instructional flight under the provisions of the 14 Code of Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the local training flight. The student pilot reported that he and his instructor had completed an hour of dual instruction in the airplane just prior to the accident flight. After the dual instruction flight was completed, he departed on his solo instruction flight and conducted two takeoffs and landings without incident. During initial climb after the third takeoff at about 300 – 400 feet above the ground, he heard a loud “pop,” and the airplane started to vibrate severely and lose engine power. He executed a forced landing to a nearby field. The airplane landed hard and nosed over during the landing roll. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector examined the airplane. The examination revealed that the lower spark plug of the number two cylinder and its associated threaded insert were missing. The threads in the top portion of the spark plug hole were stripped and only the bottom three threads remained. No other engine anomalies were observed. The inspection of the airplane’s engine maintenance logbook indicated that on November 15, 2011, the number one and number two cylinders had threaded inserts installed in the lower spark plug holes.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:55 CST
Nearest AirportPrinceton Municipal Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN6436P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAscend Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0-235 SERIES · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time16:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data