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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

March 1, 1990 · Cessna 152 · N65538

Grafton, WV

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 1, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Grafton, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N65538
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO90LA031

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AIRWORK DURING A SOLO TRAINING FLT, WHEN A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT AND POWER WAS TEMPORARILY RESTORED BEFORE IT DECREASED AGAIN. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN POWER, THE PLT SELECTED A FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING. THE FIELD HAD A STEEP SLOPE. DURING THE LANDING, THE NOSE GEAR CONTACTED THE TERRAIN FIRST AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. DURING TESTS, THE CARB HEAT OPERATED NORMALLY. TEMP AND DEW POINT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 31 DEGS F AND 22 DEGS F, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO CARB ICE PROBABILITY CHARTS, THIS CONDITION WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE DURING GLIDE POWER SETTINGS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, WHEN OPERATING AT REDUCED POWER IN CONDITIONS WHICH WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICE.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AIRWORK DURING A SOLO TRAINING FLT, WHEN A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT AND POWER WAS TEMPORARILY RESTORED BEFORE IT DECREASED AGAIN. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN POWER, THE PLT SELECTED A FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING. THE FIELD HAD A STEEP SLOPE. DURING THE LANDING, THE NOSE GEAR CONTACTED THE TERRAIN FIRST AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. DURING TESTS, THE CARB HEAT OPERATED NORMALLY. TEMP AND DEW POINT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 31 DEGS F AND 22 DEGS F, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO CARB ICE PROBABILITY CHARTS, THIS CONDITION WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE DURING GLIDE POWER SETTINGS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EST
Nearest Airport15nm W
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN65538
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:48
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data