# NTSB ATL89LA073: Cessna 182P, N21531, Hamilton, OH, January 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1989, 08:03 local (13:03 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, OH
- Coordinates: 39.330348, -84.540428 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3303&lon=-84.5404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA073

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST 50% POWER JUST AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT APPLIED FULL CARB HEAT FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES, THEN MOVED THE CARB HEAT CONTROL TO THE HALF-ON POSITION. THE AIRPLANE REMAINED AIRBORNE FOR SEVERAL MORE MINUTES AS HE ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE A SUITABLE LDG AREA. THE PLT OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD PRESSURE WOULD NOT EXCEED 23 INCHES EVEN WITH FULL THROTTLE. THE ENGINE EVENTUALLY LOST ALL POWER AND A FORCED LDG WAS MADE IN A SOFT FIELD. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LDG. AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE CRASH SITE, AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO RUN THE ENGINE; IT RAN ROUGH WHEN FIRST STARTED, THEN SMOOTHED OUT AND DEVELOPED PWR. THE ENGINE DEVELOPED NEAR-MAXIMUM RATED RPM, AND NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. EXAMINATION OF CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CURVE REVEALED THAT REPORTED WX CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR LIGHT ICING AT GLIDE OR CRUISE PWR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21531](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21531-1991-03-11), registration cancelled 1991-03-11, S/N 18261694 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18261694
- Airframe hours: 3154
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kentucky Flying Service Corp
- Registered owner: Kentucky Flying Service, Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1988, 66 hours before
- Departed: I77, CINCINNATI, OH
- Destination: 4I8, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 306 total, 274 in this make and model, 306 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUK, 14 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 19890114000489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890114000489A), Jan 14, 1989: Cessna 182P, Hamilton, OH, Substantial damage. Engine lost partial power on climbout then quit trying to return. Carburetor icing conditions prevailed.

## Other investigations on N21531 (2)

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 IAD78DA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78DA053), Mar 20, 1978: Cessna 182 (N21531), Hazard, KY, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA73FLA41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73FLA41), May 31, 1973: Cessna 182 (N21531), Quincy, FL, substantial damage

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.