KILLEEN, TX, USA
N6614P
CESSNA 152
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING SOLO FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AS PART OF HIS INSTRUCTIONAL SYLLABUS WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED VIBRATING AS THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING ON THE CROSSWIND LEG. THE PILOT LEVELED THE AIRPLANE, ELECTED TO MAINTAIN THE CROSSWIND HEADING INSTEAD OF TURNING DOWNWIND FOR LANDING, AND ATTEMPTED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE ENGINE PROBLEM. THE AIRPLANE STARTED LOSING ALTITUDE AS THE PILOT CONTINUED WITH THE IN FLIGHT FUEL MIXTURE ADJUSTMENTS AND APPLICATIONS OF CARBURETOR HEAT. THE PILOT SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING AND DURING THE DESCENT TOWARD AN OPEN AREA, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FRACTURED PUSH ROD ASSEMBLY ON THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER.
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FRACTURED NUMBER THREE CYLINDER EXHAUST PUSH ROD ASSEMBLY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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