Accident Overview
On November 20, 2022, at 1300 central standard time, a Cessna 150L, registration N10612, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cypress, Texas. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The commercial pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries.
Flight and Emergency Response
According to the pilot, after approximately 1.5 hours of flight, the engine began to run rough and shake violently while cruising at 1,600 ft mean sea level (msl). The pilot climbed to 1,900 ft msl and diverted toward the nearest airport. However, the engine subsequently lost all power, prompting a forced landing on a grass field. During the landing, the airplane struck a wood fence, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and fuselage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve had failed, causing damage to the No. 3 cylinder. At the time of the accident, the engine had exceeded the manufacturer's recommended time between overhaul (TBO) specifications as outlined in Continental Motors Service Information Letter SIL98-9E. Compliance with this TBO is not mandatory for Part 91 operations.