Morrisey 2150A accident near Chandler, Arizona, October 18, 2006
On October 18, 2006 at about 4:50 pm local time, a Morrisey 2150A, registered N5114V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chandler, Arizona (Off Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of engine power during cruise flight due to a crack in the oil cooler and subsequent loss of engine oil.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 18, 2006 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Chandler, Arizona · Off Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Morrisey 2150A · all 2150As on the register
- Registration
- N5114V · no longer on the register · serial SP14
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot-rated passenger, who was the registered owner of the airplane, shortly after departure one of the pilots smelled "something kind of funny." The commercial pilot noticed that the oil pressure indicator was not registering any pressure, so he instructed the pilot-rated passenger to monitor the oil temperature gauge. Both pilots began scanning the surrounding terrain in case of a forced landing. The engine then began to "buck" and then lost power. The commercial pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and informed them that they were making a forced landing. The airplane touched down in rough terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site reported that engine oil was present on the left side of the cowling, over the left wing, and down the belly of the airplane. He opened the cowling and noted that the oil dipstick was in place and the oil filter remained secured to the engine. The aircraft engine was inspected by a National Transportation Saftey Board investigator, who discoved that oil was dripping from the base of the oil cooler. Closer examination of the oil cooler revealed a bulge in the metal between the fifth and sixth base cap. In the bulged area there was a .4 centimeter crack in the metal, through which oil was leaking out.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 2,383 hours in all; 80 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 2,295 as pilot in command; 1,326 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 232 hours in all; 48 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,629.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2007; 9.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,817 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CHD Chandler AZ at 4:35 pm
- Destination: P19 Chandler AZ
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 4:47 pm from CHD, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.