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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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July 30, 1989 · Cessna 305A · N5209G

Chalfont, PA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chalfont, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 305A
Tail Number
N5209G
Operator
Joseph E Hefferman Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC89LA218

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD WHERE IT NOSED OVER. AN ENGINE CHECK WAS MADE AND NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. THE PHILADELPHIA TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 72 DEGREES AND 59 DEGREES, RESPECTIVELY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND ROUGH/UNEVEN TERAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD WHERE IT NOSED OVER. AN ENGINE CHECK WAS MADE AND NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. THE PHILADELPHIA TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 72 DEGREES AND 59 DEGREES, RESPECTIVELY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 EDT
Nearest AirportMOYER (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 305A
Tail NumberN5209G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJoseph E Hefferman Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-11B · Reciprocating · 213
Seats2

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data