Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 120 near Morristown, TN — 2009-07-16

Final reportERA09LA407
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Date
2009-07-16
Location
Morristown, TN, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 120
Registration
N7227E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

An adequate quantity of fuel was on-board at the beginning of the instructional flight. No discrepancies were reported during the preflight inspection or engine run-up. After takeoff, the student pilot performed airwork, then flew to a nearby airport where he performed a low pass over the runway. At the completion of the low pass, he applied power to climb, but the engine "popped" and experienced a loss of power. The flight instructor took the controls and maneuvered the airplane to a golf course and landed on a fairway. During the landing roll, the airplane rolled onto an area of vegetation and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. Postaccident fuel leakage was noted from both fuel tanks and the carburetor was broken off from its attach point to the engine. All engine controls remained attached to the carburetor. Only a cursory examination of the engine was performed and no discrepancies were noted that would have precluded engine operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Fuel management decisions before flight could have prevented engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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