Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150 near Grayslake, IL — 2009-02-17

Final reportCEN09IA172
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Date
2009-02-17
Location
Grayslake, IL, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 150
Registration
N747KA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The failure of the number 1 cylinder intake valve which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the incident was the failure of the operator to maintain the engine per manufacturer's recommendations.

NTSB narrative

The pilot rented the airplane for a local flight with the passenger. While maneuvering, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power and the pilot could not maintain altitude. The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing to a frozen lake and landed uneventfully. Examination of the engine revealed that the Number 1 cylinder intake valve had fractured. The cause of the failure could not be determined. The operator exceeded the engine manufacturer's recommended time between overhaul by over 1,600 hours. However, because the operator operated under Part 91, they were not subject to the Federal regulations that require compliance with manufacturers' recommended maintenance instructions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Performing maintenance per manufacturer recommendations could have prevented engine failure.

NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (partial) · Maneuvering
  • Maintenance

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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