Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Miami, Florida 33187
Friday, March 2, 2007 18:35 EST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that the engine began to run rough while performing airwork during an instructional flight. He elected to divert to a nearby airport where he performed an uneventful precautionary landing. While on the ground he performed an engine run-up and noticed a discrepancy with the left magneto. He operated the engine to a high rpm setting with the fuel/air ratio leaned in an effort to clear what he thought was lead fouled spark plugs, and reported that the left magneto drop was within limits (150 rpm). The CFI did not contact the operator to get assistance related to the precautionary landing, and elected to return to the original departure airport. During climbout, when the flight was 6-7 miles from the destination airport, the engine vibrations began and the rpm fluctuated 200 rpm, decreased to 2,000 rpm, then further decreased and remained at 300-400 rpm. He maneuvered the airplane towards a grass airstrip that he knew about, but because of the low light and visibility restriction, he flew past the airstrip. Due to the low altitude, he elected to land in a field perpendicular to the airstrip. While approaching the field, the airplane collided with powerlines then the ground, and nosed over. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of a failure or malfunction of the power section. Examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Examination of the spark plugs were satisfactory but were wet with oil consistent with an inverted engine. The left magneto operated intermittently during postaccident bench testing. Disassembly of the left magneto revealed the point cam was worn, and the points exhibited erosion. Additionally, the coil tested out of limits; the condenser tested within specification.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot-in-command's (CFI) continued operation of the airplane with known deficiencies (rough running engine). A factor in the accident was no suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 3/2/2007
Event Day of the Week Friday
Time of Event 1835
Event Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Event City Miami
Event State FLORIDA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 33187
Event Date Year 2007
Event Date Month 3
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 253716N
Event Location Longitude 0802909W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1853 Eastern Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID KTMB
Elevation of weather observation facility 8
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation EST
Lighting Conditions Dusk
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 26
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 21
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 160
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 6
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.87
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Minor
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 2
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 23269
NTSB Notification Source FAA Comm Center
NTSB Notification Date Mar 2 2007 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Mar 31 2008 11:52AM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\johb
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Miami, Florida

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N682RA
NTSB Number MIA07LA055
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cessna
Aircraft Model 150G
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 15067007
Certified Max Gross Weight 1550
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Unknown
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name David A. Clark
Aircraft Owner Street Address 180 SW 125th Avenue
Aircraft Owner City Plantation
Aircraft Owner State FL
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 33325
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name Dean International, Inc.
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address 14532 SW 129th Street
Operator City Miami
Operator State FL
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 33186
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Instructional
Second Pilot on Board Yes
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code X51
Departure City Homestead
Departure State FL
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1830
Departure Time Zone EST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code KTMB
Destination City --
Destination State --
Destination Country --
Specific Phase of Flight Emergency descent/landing
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Mar 12 2008 12:49PM
User who most recently changed record KENJ
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location --
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --