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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 19, 2017 · Cessna 120 NO Series · N1915N

Columbia, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 19, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Columbia, IL
Aircraft
Cessna 120 NO Series (1947)
Tail Number
N1915N
Operator
Aeronca Champ Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN17LA145

The flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to complete a tail-wheel endorsement for the pilot. After about 1 hour of total flight time, while attempting to take off for the fourth full-length runway departure, the flight instructor realized that the engine was not producing enough power for a successful takeoff, so he took control of the airplane and began applying maximum braking; however, the airplane departed the runway end, collided with a ditch, and then nosed over. During postaccident examination of the airplane, no anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation. Atmospheric conditions in the area were conducive to the formation of serious icing at cruise power. The flight instructor reported that he believed that carburetor icing led to the loss of engine power. He added that carburetor heat was applied before each landing but that it was turned off when they taxied for departure. Therefore, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated during the taxi and that the carburetor heat was not on long enough to melt the ice before takeoff, which resulted in the partial loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Conducive to carburetor icing-Effect on equipment - C

Full Narrative

On March 19, 2017, at 0955 central daylight time, a Cessna 120 airplane, N1915N, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion at Sackman Field Airport (H49), Columbia, Illinois. The pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was registered to Aeronca Champ Club LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to information provided by the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to complete a tail-wheel endorsement for the pilot. The accident occurred on the fourth full-length runway departure, after about one hour of total flight time. While taking off from runway 21, the airplane was 2/3 down the length of the runway when the flight instructor assessed that the engine was not developing enough power for a successful takeoff, so he took control of the airplane and began braking. With full brake application and about 700 ft remaining, the airplane slowed down but not enough to remain on the runway. The airplane exited the end of the runway and collided with a drainage ditch, entered a cultivated field and nosed over. Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and visually examined the airplane. No anomalies were detected. On the NTSB Form 6120, the flight instructor suspected carburetor icing as the reason of the loss of engine power. The flight instructor reported that carburetor heat was applied on each landing and after each landing, the carburetor heat was turned off as they taxied for departure. A review of the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart located in the FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention found that the airplane was operating in an area conducive to the formation of serious icing at cruise power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:55 CDT
Nearest AirportSackman Field (0nm SSW)
Runway21
Runway Length2450 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 120 NO Series
Tail NumberN1915N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAeronca Champ Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C85 SERIES · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 40 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 32 C
Altimeter30.37 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data