20011122031099A

(.19) On November 22, 2001, at 1545 central standard time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N48941, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near New Braunfels, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated by the international flight center of san antonio, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 instructional flight. The flight originated from addison, Texas, at 1245. According to the operator, the student pilot flew from san antonio, Texas, to addison, Texas, in the morning on the day of the accident. The pilot refueled the airplane with 18 gallons of avgas and departed for his return trip to san antonio. While in cruise flight at 4,500 feet, the engine lost partial power and was then operating at 1,500 RPM. The pilot elected to land at the New Braunfels Municipal Airport, and troubleshot the loss of engine power by adjusting the mixture and turning on the carburetor heat. The student reported that the engine regained power; however, the engine lost total power shortly thereafter. The pilot did not think he would be able to make it to the airport, so he elected to land in a field. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear contacted a rut in the field, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. According to the operator, they found "plenty of fuel onboard the airplane." The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, stated that the airplane's vertical stabilizer was bent to one side and the nose landing gear was damaged. (.4) the pilot was flying the airplane in cruise flight at 4,500 feet, when the engine began to shake and lost partial power. The pilot elected to divert to a nearby airport and troubleshot the loss of engine power by adjusting the mixture and turning on the carburetor heat. He reported that the engine regained power; however, it lost total power shortly thereafter. The pilot did not think he would be able to make it to the airport, so he elected to land in a field. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear contacted a rut in the field, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. According to the operator, they found "plenty of fuel onboard the airpla NE." A mechanic, who examined the engine after the accident, reported no anomalies with the engine. At the time of the accident, the temperature was reported as 22 degrees celsius (72 degrees fahrenheit), and the dew point as 14 degrees celsius (57 degrees fahrenheit). Review of carburetor icing probability charts revealed that with the aforementioned temperature and dew point, the conditions existed for "moderate icing [at] cruise power or serious icing [at] glide power." (-23) on November 22, 2001, a Cessna 152-152, N48941, pilot was enroute from addison, TX airport to san antonio, TX airport. After passing the New Braunfels airport, the pilot reported a rough running engine. The pilot elected to land at New Braunfels, TX airport, but landed about 3 miles south of the airport. After landing on a ranch field, the aircraft flipped over and sustained severe aileron and rudder damage, damage to the nose and main gear. Also wrinkled was the top and bottom wing skin. The pilot received minor scratches and bruises. The engine was inspected by a certificated mechanic and all indications point to carburetor icing. The aircraft was moved to th e owner's property and will be scrapped. This office is unable to contact Mr. Medina (pilot). Apparently, he has returned to Mexico. This office considers this accident closed.