Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near Turlock, CA — 2009-02-18

Final reportWPR09LA117
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Date
2009-02-18
Location
Turlock, CA, USA
Airport
O15
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N48761
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing resulting from the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat. Contributing to the accident was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student were performing a series of touch-and-go pattern operations. The instructor reported that the engine lost power during the initial climb. He took control of the airplane from the student and verified that the mixture was fully enriched and the fuel shut off valve was in the "on" position. These actions had no effect, so he executed a forced landing in a nearby field. During the landing roll, the nosewheel sunk into the soft ground and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the engine by a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed that the bottom spark plugs of the number one and four cylinders exhibited evidence of water. Water was observed within the fuel sump; however, no water contamination was found in the fuel drained from the airplane's tanks. The engine was successfully run at various speeds with no anomalies noted. Review of the carburetor ice probability chart revealed that the temperature and dew point near the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at any power setting. The instructor did not report applying carburetor heat following the engine failure.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Proper application of carb heat could have prevented engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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