Primary finding
Probable cause
The partial blockage of the carburetor's induction air opening by a plastic bag.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane was observed in a tail low attitude during its climb following takeoff. The witness observing the airplane stated the engine sounded as though it was laboring. The witness lost sight of the airplane for a few moments and heard the collision with trees and terrain. During the on-scene investigation the engine was test run and found to meet the manufacturer's specifications. The engine cowling was separated from the airframe prior to removing the engine at which time a blue plastic ice bag was found lodged in the cowl's air intake opening. A check with the businesses located adjacent to the crash site revealed that the brand of ice was not sold by them. The nearest seller of the ice was about three blocks east of the airport.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 31, 1994, at 0930 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 150L, N11286, registered to James S. Berlin of Bolivar, Missouri, and piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed during a collision with trees and terrain during initial climb following takeoff from Runway 01 (2,210' X 60' dry asphalt) at the Bolivar Memorial Airport, Bolivar, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight departed Bolivar, Missouri, at 0925 cdt. According to the pilot's statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2 he was not able to recall what happened. The pilot stated he was confident that he "...carried out the preflight checks prudently and in accordance with my check lists and nothing was found amiss." He said, "I can recall what I felt was a normal acceleration and rotation. Following rotation I seem to recall the plane's inability to climb." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Principal Operations Inspector (POI) interviewed the pilot approximately one week after the accident. The POI said the pilot recalled that the fuel tanks were full, and that the acceleration of the airplane was slightly more sluggish than normal. The pilot told the POI the engine was developing sufficient power. The only witness stated he observed the airplane in a tail low climb attitude with its engine "...laboring... ." Shortly after losing sight of the airplane he said he heard a loud pop and could no longer hear the engine. N11286 was examined by an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI). The PMI confirmed the pilot's statement regarding full fuel tanks. The PMI stated the fuel was auto gas. The airplane had an auto fuel FAA STC. According to the PMI, the engine was test run to the manufacturer's specifications. While separating the engine from the airframe, the cowling had to be removed. According to the engine manufacturer's representative, a blue, plastic ice bag was found by the carburetor air intake section of the cowl. The ice bag was a product of the Leo Rains Ice Service, Quincy, Missouri. The grocery store next to the crash site was contacted and asked if they sold Leo Rains Ice Service Ice. The store manager stated they did not. The manager suggested the ice bag may have come from a gas station across the street from his store. A check with the gas station owner revealed they did not sell Rains Ice Service ice. The closest source for the Rains Ice service ice was located three blocks east of the airport according to the ice company's president. Bolivar Memorial Airport's hard surface runway is approximately 20 yards south of the street the two food stores and gas station are located on. -