Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150 near Elba, AL — 2021-07-11

Final reportERA21LA284
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Date
2021-07-11
Location
Elba, AL, USA
Airport
14J
Aircraft
CESSNA 150
Registration
N8172S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice, which resulted in reduced climb capability and impact with trees during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

After performing flight training maneuvers for about 30 minutes, the instructor and student returned to the airport to practice short/soft field takeoffs and landings. After the first full-stop landing, the flight instructor recalled applying carburetor heat during the landing and taxi back for the next takeoff. During the student’s subsequent short field takeoff, the airspeed did not increase as expected while in ground effect and the instructor asked the student why he was not climbing. The student replied that he didn’t know and relinquished the controls to the instructor. The instructor determined that the engine was not producing enough power to maintain level flight and that they were too low to troubleshoot. As the airplane descended and the airspeed decreased, she lowered the nose and made a forced landing into trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. After the accident the flight instructor stated she thought the cause was carburetor ice. The temperature and dewpoint at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at glide power, and carburetor ice likely accumulated during the approach and previous landing. Although the instructor recalled applying carburetor heat during taxi there may not have been sufficient time to melt all or any accumulated carburetor ice.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted takeoff due to low airspeed before liftoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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