Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150M near SINTON, TX — 2018-03-07

Final reportCEN18LA177
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Date
2018-03-07
Location
SINTON, TX, USA
Airport
T68
Aircraft
CESSNA 150M
Registration
N66786
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The inadequate service and repair of the airplane's carburetor, which led to a partial loss of engine power during takeoff and resulted in a forced landing.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that after conducting a touch-and-go landing, the airplane's engine experienced a partial loss of power near the end of the runway. The airplane was unable to gain altitude, so he landed in an open field. During the forced landing, the airplane's engine mount was bent. According to the pilot, the airplane's carburetor was full of carbon and that the exhaust pipe was black from carbon buildup. Although it is unlikely that the black material in the carburetor was carbon, the excessive buildup within the carburetor would have adversely affected the engine's performance. The pilot stated that the carburetor was unable to properly regulate the fuel/air mixture due to the excessive buildup, corrosion in and on the main nozzle, and basic wear and tear, which caused the engine to flood and experience a partial loss of engine power. A review of the airplane's maintenance logbook showed that the carburetor had not been rebuilt since it was installed in 1974, about 44 years before the accident. Thus, it is likely that inadequate service and repair of the airplane's carburetor led to partial loss of engine power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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