# Accident 20080201010409A: Cessna 152, Palo Alto, CA, February 1, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 1, 2008, 08:46 local time
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Airport: Palo Alto Airport Of Santa Clara
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.4500° N, 122.1000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4500&lon=-122.1000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N49811, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49811-2011-02-28) (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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX08LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA055) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080201010409A

## Narrative

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

(-23) N49811, A CESSNA 152, WAS BROUGHT TO ITS MAINTENANCE BASE (KPAO) DUE TO A SQUAWK THAT COMPLAINED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING RICH AND NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER. THE A&P/IA MECHANIC MADE THE FOLLOWING ENGINE LOGBOOK ENTRY ON 2/01/08: "REMOVED CARBURETOR TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTION CAUSING ENGINE TO RUN RICH. REINSTALLED CARB IAW CESSNA 152 MM." SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ON THE FERRY FLIGHT BACK TO ITS OPERATIONS BASE, N49811 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER CAUSING THE PILOT TO RETURN TO KPAO. THE ENGINE LOST POWER ON SHORT FINAL. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THE FOLLOWING DEFICIENCIES: 1. CARBURETOR HEAT AIR VALVE SEALS WERE MISSING FORE AND AFT PREVENTING THE VALVE TO SEAL. 2. THE CARBURETOR FUEL DRAIN PLUG WAS NOT SAFETY WIRED. 3. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL ASSEMBLY. 4. THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER HAD ZERO COMPRESSION. THIS CASE HAS BEEN REFERRED TO THE AIRWORTHINESS UNIT FOR INVESTIGATION OF THESE MAINTENANCE DEFICIENCIES.

## 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 LAX08LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA055), Feb 1, 2008: Cessna 152 (N49811), Palo Alto, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb due to lack of compression to a cylinder.

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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