Probable cause
The failure of the No. 1 cylinder exhaust or intake valve which resulted in the partial loss of engine power and subsequent impact with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was enroute during a cross-country flight when the engine began running rough. He attempted to land in a clearing, but the airplane collided with trees and came to rest inverted before reaching the desired landing area.
Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve had separated and was imbedded in the face of the No. 1 piston, cracking the piston. A portion of the intake valve was missing, and a portion of a valve was recovered inside the heat exchanger. Either a failed intake or exhaust valve would have resulted in a partial loss of engine power, but damage to the No. 1 piston and its intake and exhaust valves prevented determination of the initiating failure within the cylinder.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA031 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 11, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Star Valley, Arizona
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 150G
- N-number
- N3131J
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1966
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.