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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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April 24, 1991 · Cessna 150 · N2409J

Copperhill, TN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 24, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Copperhill, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N2409J
Operator
Payne Max R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL91LA087

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ALL PREFLIGHT CHECKS WERE COMPLETED PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING THE TAKEOFF. ADDITIONALLY, THE CARBURETOR HEAT CHECK WAS NORMAL. SHORTLY AFTER TURNING DOWNWIND, THE PILOT REPORTED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE ATTEMPTED A TURN TOWARD THE AIRPORT, BUT, REALIZING THAT HE WOULD BE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON THE ADJACENT PAVED ROAD. DURING THE ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A ROAD SIGN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND POWER PLANT FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM; HOWEVER, WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE EXISTING OF CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ALL PREFLIGHT CHECKS WERE COMPLETED PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING THE TAKEOFF. ADDITIONALLY, THE CARBURETOR HEAT CHECK WAS NORMAL. SHORTLY AFTER TURNING DOWNWIND, THE PILOT REPORTED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE ATTEMPTED A TURN TOWARD THE AIRPORT, BUT, REALIZING THAT HE WOULD BE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON THE ADJACENT PAVED ROAD. DURING THE ROLLOUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A ROAD SIGN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND POWER PLANT FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM; HOWEVER, WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN2409J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPayne Max R
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data