# NTSB ATL02LA084: Cessna 150D, N4449U, Chatsworth, GA, April 14, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 2002, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Chatsworth, GA - Coordinates: 34.75, -84.75 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7500&lon=-84.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta Flight Standards District Office (FSDO-11) - NTSB case key (mKey): 54535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54535/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54535 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA084 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat that resulted in the loss of engine power. Factors were conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor icing and the selection of unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis Approximately 15 minutes into the personal flight, the pilot stated that the engine started sputtering. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing into a pasture, and while maneuvering for landing the airplane clipped trees and subsequently collided with trees and terrain. Examination of the airplane failed to reveal a malfunction or component failure. A review of weather data at the time of the accident revealed favorable conditions for the formation of carburetor icing. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 2002, at 0845 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150D, N4449U, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power in Chatsworth, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from a private strip in Crandall, Georgia, at 0830. The pilot departed from his farm strip for a pleasure flight, planning to return at approximately 0900. The pilot said that the engine started sputtering and he decided to land in one of his pastures, rather than try to climb a ridge on the way back to his farm. While maneuvering for landing, the pilot stated he was coming in a little to fast when the airplane clipped trees, and subsequently collided with the ground. Examination of the airplane disclosed damage to the spars on both wings, as well as additional damage to the fuselage on the left side, aft of the engine firewall and forward of the landing gear. The fuel system was not ruptured, and more than 13 gallons of fuel were present in the fuel system. A functional check of the engine was performed, using all the existing systems, while the engine was on the airframe. Witnesses to the functional check said the engine "ran beautifully." Prior to the engine failure, the pilot did not report an engine malfunction. The pilot did not report applying carburetor heat at any point during the flight. The pilot also did not report receiving a weather briefing before the flight. Examination of the airplane failed to reveal a malfunction or component failure. A review of weather data at the time of the accident revealed favorable conditions for the formation of carburetor icing. The pilot did not report receiving a weather briefing before the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4449U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4449U-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N 15060449, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150D - Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15060449 - Airframe hours: 3813 - Engines: Continental O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James F. Petty - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2001 - Departed: 2GE7, Crandall, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 2, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 500 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: MCN, 147 nm away ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 25, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54535. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 254 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428178&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Icing Probability Curve (item 2, .PDF, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Icing%20Probability%20Curve-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Summary (item 3, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428179&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Full View of Fuselage; Left Side (item 4, .PDF, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172117&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Full%20View%20of%20Fuselage;%20Left%20Side-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Damage to Right Wing (item 5, .PDF, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172118&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Damage to Left Wing; Outboard (item 6, .PDF, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172119&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing;%20Outboard-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Damage to Left Wing; Inboard (item 7, .PDF, 502 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172120&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing;%20Inboard-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - Damage to Right Side of Fuselage (item 8, .PDF, 588 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172121&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Side%20of%20Fuselage-Master.PDF - Photo 6 - Damage to Wing Structure (item 9, .PDF, 499 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20-%20Damage%20to%20Wing%20Structure-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.