Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150 near Zepp, VA — 2017-05-21

Final reportGAA17CA306
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Date
2017-05-21
Location
Zepp, VA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 150
Registration
N60579
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor icing, which resulted from the student pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat and the flight instructor’s delayed response in applying carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during a long cross-country flight, they encountered deteriorating weather conditions, and to remain visual flight rules, he altered course and destination. En route and while approaching a ridge line, he "noticed that [the airplane's] airspeed started to drop toward 65 miles an hour." He added that "[he] thought that maybe [the airplane was] picking up carburetor ice and [he] reached for the carburetor heat and pulled it out." The student pilot reported that, after the flight instructor stated, "watch your airspeed," he looked at the rpm gauge and noted that it was indicating 1,800 to 1,900 rpm. He added that the flight instructor took over the flight controls and that the airplane then impacted the top of a ridge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Atmospheric conditions reported at the time of the accident around the accident site were conducive to serious icing at cruise power. It is likely that carburetor ice accumulated due to the student pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat and the flight instructor's delayed application of carburetor heat, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have diverted to a safer location before approaching the ridge.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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