Cessna 150 - G accident near Galion, Ohio, February 13, 2014
On February 13, 2014 at about 4:30 pm local time, a 1966 Cessna 150 - G, registered N3882J, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Galion, Ohio (Galion Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power on climbout for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 13, 2014 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Galion, Ohio · Galion Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 - G, built 1966 · all 150 - Gs on the register
- Registration
- N3882J · registry record · serial 15065182
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he found no abnormalities with the airplane during the preflight inspection. After engine start-up and before taxiing, the pilot allowed the engine temperature to rise due to the cold ambient temperature, and the predeparture engine run-up was normal. The airplane took off and, when it reached about 500 ft above ground level, the engine "misfired." The pilot cycled the carburetor heat on and verified that the primer was "locked" and that the fuel selector was in the "on" position. Despite these actions, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing in an agricultural field. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or fuel contamination that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven › Contributed to outcome
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 81 hours in all; 72 in this make and model; 45 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 26, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,931 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 10, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 1,499 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200 SERIES (piston); 3,935 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GQQ Galion OH at 4:30 pm
- Destination: I74 Urbana OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 21°F (-6°C), dew point 7°F (-14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 3:52 pm from KMFD, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.