Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150L near Lake Alfred, FL — 2010-03-22

Final reportERA10LA184
Sign in to save
Date
2010-03-22
Location
Lake Alfred, FL, USA
Airport
GIF
Aircraft
CESSNA 150L
Registration
N6589G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A loss of engine power during the landing approach for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

While turning from the base leg to the final leg of the traffic pattern, the airplane's engine lost partial power. The student pilot increased the throttle setting and the engine maintained that power setting for about 20 seconds before losing power completely. The certificated flight instructor assumed authority over the airplane's controls and performed a forced landing to a field near the airport. During the landing roll, the nosewheel encountered rough terrain and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector drained approximately four gallons of fuel from the left wing tank and gascolator at the accident site. A detailed examination of the engine by two FAA inspectors revealed no evidence of any preexisting anomalies or malfunctions. While a review of the carburetor icing probability chart showed that the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, the pilots reported using carburetor heat for the approach to land.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Not attempting to restart the engine during descent.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

Related mishaps