Cessna 150E accident near Marlboro, Massachusetts, August 7, 2004
On August 7, 2004 at about 1:00 pm local time, a Cessna 150E, registered N6159T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marlboro, Massachusetts (Marlboro 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 loss of engine power due to a stuck cylinder exhaust valve. Factors were the tailwind and a jammed engine cylinder exhaust valve.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 7, 2004 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Marlboro, Massachusetts · Marlboro Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150E · all 150Es on the register
- Registration
- N6159T · no longer on the register · serial 15060859
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane engine began to run rough about 1,000 feet agl, during the initial climb from runway 32; a 1,659-foot-long, 45-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot initiated a 180-degree left turn back toward runway 14, and reduced engine power to approximately 2,000 rpm, which reduced the engine vibration. The airplane approached runway 14 fast, and touched down within the first one-half of the runway. The airplane then bounced and floated past the midpoint of the runway. There was insufficient runway remaining to stop the airplane, and the pilot elected to abort the landing. However, during the initial climb from runway 14, the airplane struck trees and landed in a field off the departure end of the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the number four cylinder exhaust valve was stuck in the closed position. The airplane had accumulated 8 hours of operation since the last annual inspection was performed; which was about 9 months prior to the accident. The reported wind at an airport about 10 miles east of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 340 degrees at 5 knots.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 303 hours in all; 170 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 178 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 14, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,658 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 20, 2003; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9B1 Marlboro MA at 12:50 pm
- Destination: FIT Fitchburg MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 1,659 ft by 45 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from BED, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.