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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

February 23, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N25909

Kansas City, MO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kansas City, MO
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N25909
Operator
Liberty Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89LA062

THE PLT SAID WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE CONFORMATION, THE ENGINE MISFIRED. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT AND THE ENGINE PERFORMED NORMALLY. HE REMOVED THE CARB HEAT AND IN ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES THE ENGINE LOST SUBSTANTIAL POWER. CARB HEAT WAS THEN APPLIED WHICH RESULTED IN A GAIN IN POWER, BUT NOT TO NORMAL SPECIFICATIONS. THE PLT MADE A DECISION TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LDG ON THE ONLY AVAILABLE SPACE. HE REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE, APPLIED FULL FLAPS AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A FIELD. HE FELT THE ENGINE HAD CLEARED ENOUGH FOR A POSSIBILITY FOR CONTINUATION OF THE FLIGHT BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE LANDING. THE ACFT LANDED ON A FIELD, RAN ONTO A ROAD AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE WITH THE RIGHT WING. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARB ICE ACCORDING TO THE 'CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS.' THE TEMP WAS 26 DEG F AND DEWPOINT WAS 3 DEGS F.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BY PILOT IN COMMAND.

Full Narrative

THE PLT SAID WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE CONFORMATION, THE ENGINE MISFIRED. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT AND THE ENGINE PERFORMED NORMALLY. HE REMOVED THE CARB HEAT AND IN ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES THE ENGINE LOST SUBSTANTIAL POWER. CARB HEAT WAS THEN APPLIED WHICH RESULTED IN A GAIN IN POWER, BUT NOT TO NORMAL SPECIFICATIONS. THE PLT MADE A DECISION TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LDG ON THE ONLY AVAILABLE SPACE. HE REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE, APPLIED FULL FLAPS AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A FIELD. HE FELT THE ENGINE HAD CLEARED ENOUGH FOR A POSSIBILITY FOR CONTINUATION OF THE FLIGHT BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE LANDING. THE ACFT LANDED ON A FIELD, RAN ONTO A ROAD AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE WITH THE RIGHT WING. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARB ICE ACCORDING TO THE 'CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS.' THE TEMP WAS 26 DEG F AND DEWPOINT WAS 3 DEGS F.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN25909
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLiberty Aviation
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 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 3 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data