Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL99LA029

Aircraft #1

N5957T

Cessna 150B

Analysis

During the initial climb after takeoff the engine lost power. The pilot elected to return to the airport for an emergency landing. The pilot was forced to land in a grassy area short of the airport. The engine examination disclosed that the number three cylinder had no compression and no intake or exhaust valve movement was noted when the engine was rotated though. .

Factual Information

On December 5, 1998, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150B, N5957T, collided with the ground during an attempted emergency landing at a private sod airstrip near Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident with no flight plan filed. The airplane sustained substantial airframe damage, and the private pilot was not injured. The accident occurred during the initial climb after takeoff from Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, at 1355. The pilot in the Cessna 150B and two other men in the Cessna 172, departed Adjuntas, Puerto Rico enroute to Arecibo, Puerto Rico. According to the pilot of the Cessna 150B, both airplanes were inspected for oil and fuel during the preflight. The pilot stated that, during the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power and flight could not be maintained. The pilot elected to return to the airport for an emergency landing. The pilot was forced to land in a grassy area short of the runway. The engine examination disclosed that the number three cylinder had no compression. The examination also disclosed that no intake or exhaust valve movement was noted when the engine was rotated though. Weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing conditions.

Probable Cause and Findings

The loss of engine power due to the restricted movement of the intake and exhaust valves on number 3 cylinder.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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