# Accident 20031208033089A: Cessna 152, Butler, PA, December 8, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 8, 2003, 17:55 local time
- Place: Butler, PA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.8881° N, 79.9839° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8881&lon=-79.9839&mi=10
- Aircraft: N94820, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94820-2013-06-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 152 (registry code 2071835, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 30 total, 17 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC04LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA045) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031208033089A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) SPEAKING FOR HIS INJURED SON, THE FATHER, A CERTIFIED PILOT, SAID THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING AND THEN QUIT OPERATING. THE PILOT ASSURED THE PROPER POSITIONS OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL, THE MAGNETO KEY SWITCH, AND THE FUEL SHUTOFF VALVE. THE PILOT RE-STARTED THE ENGINE BUT IT RAN ONLY MOMENTARILY BEFORE QUITTING AGAIN. AFTER ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL RE-START THE ENGINE ONCE MORE ONLY RAN BRIEFLY AND THEN CEASED OPERATION. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE STARTED AT ALL ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT SO THE PILOT ESTABLISHED A GLIDE WHILE CONTACTING PITTSBURGH DEPARTURE CONTROL TO BROADCAST ITS EMERGENCY SITUATION. DURING THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION THE LEFT TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY WHILE THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED ONLY A MINUTE AMOUNT OF FUEL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC04LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA045), Dec 8, 2003: Cessna 152 (N94820), Butler, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. A factor was carburetor icing conditions.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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