Cessna 150L N150ET

Summary

On 4 July 2011 at about 17:00 local time, a Cessna 150L registered N150ET, operated by Richard C Murphy, was involved in an accident near Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 July 2011 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Plymouth (PYM)

Coordinates

41.9083, -70.7333

Aircraft

Cessna 150L

Registration

N150ET

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Richard C Murphy

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plymouth → Plymouth

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA383

Nobody was injured.

A partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to a stuck cylinder valve, which resulted from excessive corrosion and carbon deposits on the valve springs due to inadequate maintenance.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During initial climb, the engine began to run rough and experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot elected to land straight ahead into a cranberry bog. The pilot believed the loss of engine power was due to a stuck cylinder valve. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 cylinder intake and exhaust valve springs exhibited excessive corrosion and carbon deposits, consistent with lack of use, which made them more susceptible to sticking. The extent of the corrosion was such that it presented over a long period of time and should have been addressed during routine maintenance. No other defects were noted with the engine that would have resulted in a partial loss of power. The airplane had been operated for 17 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was completed 11 months prior to the accident. The engine had been operated for 256 hours since its most recent overhaul, which was completed more than 10 years prior to the accident. The same airplane was involved in a forced landing to a cranberry bog 8 years earlier due to a stuck cylinder valve.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.