Accident Details
On July 12, 2023, about 1335 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L airplane, registration N16071, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Elbert County Airport (EBA), Elberton, Georgia. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that during the engine start the engine “skipped” a few times. He then taxied to runway 11 at EBA and performed a run-up, which he described as “normal.” The pilot applied full power for takeoff, and when the airplane became airborne the engine exhibited “a couple of quick power surges” and then a steady partial loss of power. He recalled seeing an engine speed of 2,100 rpm and that he became “fixated” on the throttle, mixture, and keeping the wings level. During the initial climb, he realized he had traveled too far down the runway to abort the takeoff. Subsequently, he reduced pitch, navigated towards an open grassy area between trees, and lowered flaps to 40°. During the touchdown, the left wing abruptly dropped and impacted the ground, and the airplane nosed over during the roll out. The fuselage, wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage.
Witness Observations
Three witnesses at the airport heard and observed portions of the pilot’s taxi, run-up, and takeoff. The witnesses reported that during the pilot’s taxi the engine was skipping and running rough and continued to run rough during the takeoff. They described that during the initial climb, while the airplane was over the runway, the airplane could not gain altitude and eventually descended out of view towards trees and terrain.
Video Evidence
Airport surveillance video captured most of the takeoff and initial climb (the video did not capture sound). The airplane’s first rotation attempt occurred about 2,300 ft from the beginning of runway 31 (total length 5,004 ft). About 300 ft further down the runway, the airplane became airborne, but remained near ground effect and did not climb while flying over most of the remaining runway surface. After the airplane flew over the remaining runway surface, it again attempted to climb, and the airplane gained altitude for a few seconds, but descended in a left turn towards terrain and trees before it exited the camera’s view.
Previous Events
The pilot reported that on July 8th, 2024, he had experienced a partial loss of power for about 4-5 seconds during flight, with the engine returning to normal power, and no further anomalies were observed. On July 11th, 2024, he completed a two-and-a-half-hour flight and refueled the airplane, with the engine performing normally. After refueling, the engine began to run rough and, as a result, the pilot changed the spark plugs and the engine operation returned to normal. The accident flight was the first flight after he changed the spark plugs.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the airplane found that about 15 gallons of fuel remained on board. The engine examination revealed no anomalies with the fuel system, spark plugs, or carburetor. The engine’s crankshaft could be rotated by hand. Crankshaft and camshaft continuity was confirmed, and all piston valves operated normally, with exception to the No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve. The valve was stuck and did not move despite the remainder of the valves operating normally.
Maintenance Records
The airplane’s maintenance records documented that the most recent 100-hour inspection of the engine was completed August 2, 2022. The engine had accumulated 16.5 hours since this inspection. The engine was last overhauled on December 17, 1990, and it had accumulated 1,591 hours since this overhaul.