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April 16, 2009 · Cessna 152 · N64988

Cross City, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 16, 2009
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Cross City, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N64988
Operator
Sunrise Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09LA247

While climbing through 3,400 feet mean sea level (msl), the newly certificated private pilot noticed that the engine power decreased by approximately 300 rpm; however, the engine was running smoothly with no abnormal noise. The pilot verified that the engine controls were in the proper position and he then positioned the carburetor heat to "ON." The engine power continued a steady decay to 1,400 rpm as the airplane descended to 1,000 feet msl and the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field that he had been circling. During the landing, he overshot his intended touchdown point. The airplane subsequently struck two fence posts and came to rest inverted in the field. Review of fueling records revealed that the airplane had adequate fuel to complete the round trip cross-country flight. The engine crankshaft and carburetor were damaged during impact, which limited the field examination of those components. The cabin heat was noted in the "ON" position and the carburetor heat was in the "OFF" position; however, the carburetor box had been pulled from the airframe during impact. Examination of the wreckage could not identify the reason for the engine power loss. Review of a Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Chart revealed "Serious icing - glide power" for the reported temperature and dew point conditions.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Conducive to carburetor icing-Not specified

Full Narrative

On April 16, 2009, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N64988, operated by Sunrise Aviation, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field, following a partial loss of engine power during climbout from Cross City Airport (CTY), Cross City, Florida. The certificated private pilot and student pilot passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to Ormond Beach Municipal Airport (OMN), Ormond Beach, Florida. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that he departed CTY with 14 gallons of fuel. While climbing through 3,400 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine power decreased by about 300 rpm; however, the engine was running smoothly and the pilot did not hear any abnormal engine noise. The pilot then verified that the master switch was "ON," the ignition was selected to "BOTH," the fuel selector was positioned to "ON," the mixture was rich, and the throttle was in the full power position. He then positioned the carburetor heat to "ON," where it remained for the remainder of the flight. The engine power continued a steady decay to 1,400 rpm as the airplane descended to 1,000 feet msl, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field that he had been circling. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the recently certificated private pilot and student pilot passenger were completing a round trip cross-country flight. The airplane was "topped off" with fuel prior to the first leg of the trip. As the pilot attempted a forced landing to a field, he overshot his intended landing point. The airplane struck two fence posts and came to rest inverted in the field. During the impact, the airplane sustained structural damage to both wings and the fuselage. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that due to impact damage, the crankshaft was bent. Additionally, the carburetor had separated and was impact damaged. The cabin heat was noted in the "ON" position and the carburetor heat was "OFF;" however, the carburetor box had been pulled from the airframe during impact. The inspector could not identify the reason for the engine power loss. The report weather at CTY, at 0953, was: wind from 050 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 17 degrees Celsius; dew point 11 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.11 inches of mercury. Review of an FAA Carburetor Icing Chart revealed "Serious icing - glide power" for a temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and a dew point of 11 degrees Celsius.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN64988
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSunrise Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data