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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 9, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N4602L

Taft, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Taft, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N4602L
Operator
Aviation Training
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA154

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON A DRY LAKE BED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED WITH NO MECHANICAL OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED. THE ENGINE WAS ALSO STARTED AND WAS FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY. SURFACE TEMP WAS REPORTED AS 77 DEGS AND DEWPOINT WAS 53 DEGS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOTS IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT IN WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

Full Narrative

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON A DRY LAKE BED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED WITH NO MECHANICAL OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED. THE ENGINE WAS ALSO STARTED AND WAS FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY. SURFACE TEMP WAS REPORTED AS 77 DEGS AND DEWPOINT WAS 53 DEGS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN4602L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAviation Training
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 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:45

Appendix: Source Data