Accident Overview
On February 17, 2011, at approximately 1715 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150H (registration N7237S) operated by a private individual was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field. The event occurred following a partial loss of engine power during takeoff from a private airstrip near Jonesborough, Tennessee. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the planned local flight.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that his airplane had been sitting for approximately one month prior to the accident flight, with its wing fuel tanks about one-quarter full. During the preflight inspection, the pilot sumped the fuel tanks and believed he had removed all water and rust flake contamination from the fuel tanks. The airplane subsequently departed on runway 27, which was approximately 1,400 feet long, 40 feet wide, and consisted of turf.
During the takeoff climb, at about 40 feet above the ground, the engine began to run rough. The pilot cycled the throttle control several times, and the engine power seemed to oscillate. Since the engine continued to produce partial power, the pilot attempted a 180-degree turn back to the airport; however, the airplane impacted a field west of the airport and came to rest inverted.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to both wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the firewall. The inspector planned to further document the fuel once the airplane was recovered from the field and fuel could be drained from it.
The following day, a mechanic under the direction of the FAA inspector conducted a subsequent examination. The mechanic sumped the fuel tanks and noted that the first two samples had a small amount of rust particles and debris, which he stated was consistent with an airplane being in an accident. He then drained the gascolator, found no contamination of the fuel, and the gascolator screen was clean. The fuel line from the gascolator to the carburetor was absent of contamination. The finger screen from the carburetor contained a few rust particles, but the mechanic further stated that it was not enough to affect fuel flow. The mechanic then removed the carburetor from the engine, cycled the throttle arm, and fuel sprayed from the accelerator pump. He opened the carburetor and found a small amount of fuel in the bowl, which was also absent of contamination. The float, needle, and seat were intact and operated properly.
Weather Conditions
The reported weather at an airport located about 15 miles northeast of the accident site at the time of the accident included clear skies, wind from 270 degrees at 8 knots, temperature 21 degrees Celsius, and dew point 4 degrees Celsius. An FAA Carburetor Icing Envelope chart revealed "Serious Icing - Glide Power" for the given temperature and dew point.