# NTSB ATL89LA069: Boeing E75, N52124, Salisbury, NC, January 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1989, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Salisbury, NC
- Coordinates: 35.119369, -77.019012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1194&lon=-77.0190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA069

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN CARBURETOR ICE.   FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND OBSTRUCTION(S)/UTILITY POLE NEAR  THE  DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FM A TOUCH-&-GO, THE ENG SPUTTERED, EMITTED BLACK SMOKE FM THE EXHAUST & HAD A PARTIAL PWR LOSS. THE PLT RPRTD THE ACFT WAS TOO FAR DOWN THE RWY TO ABORT, SO HE CONTD THE TAKEOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT A POLE NEAR THE DEP END OF THE RWY & WAS LANDED IN A FIELD. HARD BRAKING WAS USE TO AVOID OBJECTS WHILE LNDG & THE ACFT NOSED OVR. INV REVEALED A MIX OF AVGAS & AUTOGAS WAS USED. THE PLT SAID HE CLEARED THE ENG ON BASE LEG & THAT CARB HEAT WAS OFF MOMENTARILY WHEN HE APPLIED PWR FOR A GO-AROUND. SOOT WAS FND ON THE #3 & #5 SPARK PLUGS. ABT 60 MI WEST AT HICKORY, NC, THE 1400 EST TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 45 & 21 DEG. ACCORDING TO CARB ICE CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE WITH THE ENG OPERG AT GLIDE PWR. AN STC HAD BEEN DEVELOPED FOR USE OF AUTO FUEL IN W-670-6N ENGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52124](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52124-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 75-8560, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING E75
- Registry model: [Boeing E75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-e75) (registry code 1380120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming R680-4P-B4](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680-4p-b4) (registry code 41542, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-8560
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Terry S. Pendleton
- Registered owner: Terry S Pendleton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Private, runway 36, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,770 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 60 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 19890105000799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890105000799A), Jan 5, 1989: Boeing STC75, Spencer, NC, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on touch and go. Aircraft clipped a pole on climbout and nosed over landing. Possible carb 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.

---
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.