ATL01LA009

While on her first solo cross country flight and cruising at 4,500feet, the engine developed intermittent power loss. Efforts by the student pilot to restore full power failed. The pilot selected an area for a forced landing; the airplane collided with ground during the forced landing. A review of weather data at the time of the accident revealed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The examination of the airplane and engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem.

On October 14, 2000, at 1215 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N18130, developed engine trouble and made a forced landing in a field near Homer, Georgia. The instructional flight was operated by Pickens County Aero Inc. under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot (Ukrainian National) was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed Pickens, South Carolina, at 1135.

According to the pilot, her first solo cross country flight was planned from Pickens, South Carolina, to Gainesville, Georgia. While cruising at 4,500ft. the engine developed intermittent power loss. A quick check of the engine instruments was performed and no abnormalities were found in their indications. The pilot stated that the fuel valve was on, carburetor heat in, throttle open as for cruise, mixture leaned as supposed, primer locked, and the key in the both position. Changes in throttle made no difference, as well as changes in carburetor heat, or mixture. Attempts failed to restore full engine power and the pilot selected a field for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with the ground during the attempted forced landing.

A review of weather data revealed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The examination of the airplane and engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem.