# NTSB ANC93LA011: Cessna 150G, N3144X, Delta Junction, AK, November 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1992, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Delta Junction, AK
- Coordinates: 63.699653, -144.889938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6997&lon=-144.8899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA011

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S (CFI) IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION TO ATTEMPT A DOWN WIND FORCED LANDING IN HIGH SURFACE WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

A STUDENT PILOT UNDER DUAL INSTRUCTION AND INSTRUCTOR ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT COMPLETED A CRUISE DESCENT WITH LOW ENGINE POWER AND DEVELOPED A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE.  THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL AND EFFORTS TO REGAIN POWER WITH CARBURETOR HEAT AND FULL THROTTLE WERE INEFFECTIVE.  ATTEMPTS TO POSITION FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT A BLM STRIP WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL DUE TO HIGH WINDS.  AN ALTERNATE LANDING AREA WAS SELECTED ON A DRY RIVER BED, HOWEVER, THE DECISION TO TURN INTO THE WIND WAS NOT MADE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 200 FOOT AGL, TOO LATE TO AVOID A TAILWIND LANDING.  DURING THE TAILWIND LANDING THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE WHEEL WAS DESTROYED ON INITIAL IMPACT AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3144X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3144X-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 15064544, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15064544
- Airframe hours: 2280
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Donald K. Sparks, doing business as Sparks Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Donald K. Sparks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 28, 1992, 83 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: TOK, TOK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 770 total, 660 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 28 knots, gusting 38
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIG, 5 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19921103044799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921103044799A), Nov 3, 1992: Cessna 150G, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. Rough engine near alternate. Unable land due severe wind. Landed riverbar downwind. Nosed over. Carburetor icing.

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.

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