NTSB Identification: NYC93LA031
For details, refer to NTSB microfiche number 48322A
Accident occurred OCT-31-92 at MT. GILEAD, OH
Aircraft: CESSNA 150H, registration: N6402S
Injuries: 1 Serious.
THE PILOT WAS IN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE CONTROL TOWER AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT AND INA DESCENT FROM FIVE THOUSAND FEET TO TWO THOUSAND FEET IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING. SEVENMILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED, ON RADAR, FLYING AWAY FROM THEAIRPORT WHEN RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. GROUND WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE FLYING STRAIGHT ANDLEVEL AT A LOW ALTITUDE OVER A WOODED AREA WHEN THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE. A TOXICOLOGYON THE PILOT REVEALED CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE PILOT’S BLOOD. EXAMINATION OF THE LEFTHEATER/EXHAUST MUFFLER, THE SOURCE OF HEAT TO THE CABIN, SHOWED IT HAD DETERIORATED ANDHAD THREE CRACKS. TWO CRACKS WHERE FOUND ON THE MUFFLER TUBE AND ONE ON THE FORWARD ENDPLATE. THE THREE CRACKS WERE INTERGRANULAR AND SHOWED SOME OXIDATION.
Probable Cause
PILOT INCAPACITATION DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE GAS AS A RESULT OF CRACKS IN THE HEATERMUFFLER. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PROGRESSIVE DETERIORATION OF THE LEFT HEATERMUFFLER.
