Event CEN14LA144

Factual narrative

On February 19, 2014, about 1130 eastern standard time (EST), a Cessna 150G airplane, N3882J, made a forced landing following a total loss of engine power after takeoff from the Galion Municipal Airport (GQQ), Galion, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a statement provided to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported no abnormalities or fuel contaminates were observed during the preflight airplane inspection. After engine start-up, the pilot allowed the airplane engine temperature to rise before taxiing due to the cold ambient temperature. The pre-departure run-up was normal and he noted the takeoff was smooth until about 400-500 feet above ground level when the engine "misfired." The pilot stated he pulled the carburetor heat, checked the primer was in the "locked" position and verified the fuel selector valve was in the "on" position. The engine then experienced a total loss of power. Unable to restore engine power, he made a forced landing into an agricultural field. During the forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mounts. The airplane was a two seat, high wing, tricycle landing gear, airplane which was manufactured in 1967. It was powered by a Continental Motors O-200 engine. An FAA inspector conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane engine and fuel system. The examination revealed engine continuity of the crankshaft, lifters and valves. Compression was present in all four cylinders. There were also sparks observed in all 8 ignition wires. Fuel samples were taken from the fuel lines, carburetor, and gascolator with no visible signs of water. The airframe fuel sump was drained and a "few drops" of water were observed. At the direction of the NTSB IIC, the carburetor was opened and no anomalies were observed with the carburetor float. In addition, the fuel was tested with water indicating paste to detect water contamination. The water indicating paste did not reflect water contaminates in the fuel. The closest weather reporting facility was the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, Mansfield, Ohio. At 1052, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) from the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, 12 miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind from 030 degrees at 5 knots; sky condition, clear; visibility, 9 statute miles; temperature 21 degrees F; dewpoint 7 degrees F; barometric pressure 29.84 inches of mercury. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, an airplane operating in the ambient conditions near the accident site could expect no carburetor icing while at cruise or glide power. The pilot reported that he found no abnormalities with the airplane during the preflight inspection. After engine start-up and before taxiing, the pilot allowed the engine temperature to rise due to the cold ambient temperature, and the predeparture engine run-up was normal. The airplane took off and, when it reached about 500 ft above ground level, the engine "misfired." The pilot cycled the carburetor heat on and verified that the primer was "locked" and that the fuel selector was in the "on" position. Despite these actions, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing in an agricultural field. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or fuel contamination that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Sloped/uneven-Contributed to outcome
• C Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C