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NTSB Report
March 29, 1990 · Cessna 150 · N61272
Birchwood, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 29, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Birchwood, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N61272
Operator
William Lee Laflen
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC90FA046
WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO PRACTICE A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING, THE PLT NOTICED AN INCREASE IN THE ACFT'S RATE OF DSCNT. HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO CORRECT THE RATE OF DSCNT, BUT THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. HE THEN APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, BUT THERE WAS STILL NO RESPONSE. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RWY ON SNW COVERED TERRAIN IN VARIABLE WIND CONDS & THENOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN GEAR HIT THE TOP OF THE PERIMETER FENCE, WHICH RESULTED IN MINOR DAMAGE TO THE FENCE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR A MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE, WHICH ALLOWED FOR THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. IT WAS BEING OPERATED WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL, WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 40 & 37 DEG, RESPECTIVELY, WHICH WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICE. THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE HAD THROTTLED BACK TO 2100 RPM ON DOWNWIND, THEN ON BASE LEG, HE THROTTLED BACK TO 1600 RPM & APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT.
NTSB Probable Cause
CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, UNFAVORABLE WIND, AND THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO PRACTICE A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING, THE PLT NOTICED AN INCREASE IN THE ACFT'S RATE OF DSCNT. HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO CORRECT THE RATE OF DSCNT, BUT THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. HE THEN APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, BUT THERE WAS STILL NO RESPONSE. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RWY ON SNW COVERED TERRAIN IN VARIABLE WIND CONDS & THENOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN GEAR HIT THE TOP OF THE PERIMETER FENCE, WHICH RESULTED IN MINOR DAMAGE TO THE FENCE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR A MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE, WHICH ALLOWED FOR THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. IT WAS BEING OPERATED WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL, WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 40 & 37 DEG, RESPECTIVELY, WHICH WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICE. THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE HAD THROTTLED BACK TO 2100 RPM ON DOWNWIND, THEN ON BASE LEG, HE THROTTLED BACK TO 1600 RPM & APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:50 AKST
Nearest AirportBirchwood (0nm N)
Runway1
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN61272
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam Lee Laflen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindGusting 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO