Cessna 150F accident near Pittstown, New Jersey, July 13, 2022
On July 13, 2022 at about 3:57 pm local time, a 1968 Cessna 150F, registered N8761G, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Pittstown, New Jersey (Sky Manor airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2022 · about 3:57 pm local time
- Place
- Pittstown, New Jersey · Sky Manor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150F, built 1968 · all 150Fs on the register
- Registration
- N8761G · no longer on the register · serial 15062861
- 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 during takeoff roll the airplane was not performing as normal. The pilot aborted the takeoff, completed an additional engine run-up and no anomalies were noted. The pilot performed a second takeoff, and the airplane did not gain sufficient altitude to clear powerlines along the flight path. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field and the airplane sustained substantial damage when it contacted the rough terrain. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve was stuck closed. No additional evidence indicated any preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the stuck valve likely caused the partial loss of engine power.
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 (partial) during emergency descent
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 149 hours in all; 149 in this make and model; 79 in the last 90 days; 62 in the last 30 days; 80 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 6, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 15, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 57N Manville NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 7, 2,900 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from SMQ, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSMQ 131553Z AUTO 32005KT 10SM CLR 31/14 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP122 T03060144
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on November 15, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Engine Examination | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.