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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 3, 1996 · Cessna 150H · N6532S

Homerville, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 3, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Homerville, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 150H
Tail Number
N6532S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA97LA033

The airplane's engine lost complete power, and the pilot requested radar vectors to the nearest airport. While on short final, the airplane struck trees, turned 180 opposite the direction of travel, and impacted the ground. The pilot stated that just after establishing radar contact with ATC, the airplane 'experienced [a] power failure.' The engine then surged momentarily for about 30 seconds, then stopped. The pilot did not try to restart the engine again. He performed a forced landing, but was not able to reach the airport due to head winds. The airplane had begun a descent from 6,000 feet, shortly before the engine failed. The carburetor heat control was found in the 'cold' position, and the fuel selector was 'on.' Fuel was found in both fuel tanks. The airplane's engine was examined, started, and ran without any discrepancies noted. About 31 miles west-southwest at Valdosta, Ga, the temperature and dew point at 1955 EST were 46 and 41 degrees, respectively. According to icing probability charts, conditions at Valdosta were conducive for carburetor ice.

NTSB Probable Cause

carburetor ice, due to the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with trees.

Full Narrative

On December 2, 1996, about 2025 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150H, N6532S, registered to a private owner, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight, crashed during a forced landing near Homerville, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damage. The airline transport pilot, and one passenger were not injured. The airplane's engine lost complete power, and the pilot requested radar vectors to the nearest airport. The pilot was vectored to Homerville, and while on short final, the airplane struck trees, turned 180 opposite the direction of travel, and impacted the ground. The pilot stated that just after establishing radar contact with ATC, the airplane "experienced [a] power failure." The engine then surged momentarily, for about 30 seconds then stopped. The pilot did not try to restart the engine again, and performed a forced landing, but was not able to reach the airport because of the head winds. According to the FAA inspector's statement, the airplane had begun a descent from 6,000 feet, shortly before the engine failed. The carburetor heat control was found in the "cold" position, and the fuel selector was "on." Both fuel tanks, and the gascolator sump drain, "contained fuel." The airplane's engine was examined, started and ran without any discrepancies noted. The FAA inspector wrote in his statement that based on the engine run the cause of the loss of engine power "could not be determined." He further stated "the possibility of carburetor icing does exist."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:25 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150H
Tail NumberN6532S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind225° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data