Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near Cross City, FL — 2009-04-16

Final reportERA09LA247
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Date
2009-04-16
Location
Cross City, FL, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N64988
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

While climbing through 3,400 feet mean seal level (msl), the newly certificated private pilot noticed that the engine power decreased by approximately 300 rpm; however, the engine was running smoothly with no abnormal noise. The pilot verified that the engine controls were in the proper position and he then positioned the carburetor heat to "ON." The engine power continued a steady decay to 1,400 rpm as the airplane descended to 1,000 feet msl and the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field that he had been circling. During the landing, he overshot his intended touchdown point. The airplane subsequently struck two fence posts and came to rest inverted in the field. Review of fueling records revealed that the airplane had adequate fuel to complete the round trip cross-country flight. The engine crankshaft and carburetor were damaged during impact, which limited the field examination of those components. The cabin heat was noted in the "ON" position and the carburetor heat was in the "OFF" position; however, the carburetor box had been pulled from the airframe during impact. Examination of the wreckage could not identify the reason for the engine power loss. Review of a Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Chart revealed "Serious icing - glide power" for the reported temperature and dew point conditions.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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