Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW91LA056

FLORESVILLE, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N383VU

CESSNA 150F

Analysis

DURING A DAY CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT BEGAN AN APPROVED DESCENT FOR AN APPROACH TO SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER DUE TO A STUCK VALVE IN THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER STUDENT PILOT WAS VECTORED TO A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, HOWEVER, SHE COULD NOT EXTEND THE GLIDE FAR ENOUGH TO REACH THE AIRSTRIP DUE TO A TAIL WIND ON HER SELECTED FINAL APPROACH COURSE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AND FENCE DURING THE LANDING CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO PITCH OVER INVERTED. SIGNIFICANT MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT AND THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE INSTANCE OF A POWER LOSS DURING A PREVIOUS TAKEOFF. THERE WERE 2 PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WHERE THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE STUCK IN THE HALF OPEN POSITION.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DUE TO A JAMMED VALVE, INCORRECT MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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