Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150L near Summerville, SC — 2008-06-13

Final reportCHI08LA162
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Date
2008-06-13
Location
Summerville, SC, USA
Airport
DYB
Aircraft
CESSNA 150L
Registration
N5471Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The flight was departing for a ferry flight to an airport 25 miles away and just after takeoff the engine stopped. The pilot said that the engine originally started without hesitation but that during the run-up there was an indication of a fouled plug in the engine. The pilot spent several minutes clearing up the fouled plug and then took off. When the engine stopped, the pilot manipulated the throttle, causing a momentary return of power, but then the engine stopped again so the pilot made a forced landing straight ahead, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. A Federal Aviation Inspector who inspected the engine found that the magnetos would spark and that there was compression in all cylinders. The inspector also disassembled the carburetor and found no anomalies with the carburetor. The engine had a current annual inspection and had 1800 hours since the last major overhaul. The pilot submitted a written statement but not an aircraft accident report.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after identifying the fouled plug issue.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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