# NTSB ATL89LA096: Cessna 152, N25524, Blountville, TN, March 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1989, 22:29 local (Mar 5, 1989, 03:29 UTC)
- Place: Blountville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.530021, -82.320526 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5300&lon=-82.3205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7993
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7993/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA096

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE. THE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT IN A TIMELY AND ADEQUATE MANNER. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN THE ACCUMULATION OF ICE TO A POINT OF FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WHICH ELIMINATED THE HEAT NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE ICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - pole
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, HE WAS IN CRUISE FLT AT 3,000 FT WHEN HIS ENGINE DEVELOPED A MISS AND BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. AFTER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHICH INCLUDED APPLYING CARB HEAT, THERE WAS A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN ENGINE PERFORMANCE. SHORTLY, THE ENGINE QUIT COMPLETELY AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE AND POWER LINE AT OR NEAR STALL SPEED. THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. AFTER RECOVERY OF THE AIRPLANE, THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND OPERATED SATISFACTORILY. THE EXISTING AMBIENT ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25524](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25524-1995-04-17), registration cancelled 1995-04-17, S/N 15280715 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280715
- Airframe hours: 4884
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dominion Aerospace Corp.
- Registered owner: Robert L. Martin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1989, 43 hours before
- Departed: TRI, BLOUNTVILLE, TN
- Destination: 6A8, ABINGDON, VA
- Airport: TRI, Tri-City Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 417 total, 233 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 6 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 19890304003029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890304003029A), Mar 4, 1989: Cessna 152, Bristol-Johnson, TN, Destroyed. Engine lost power en route at night. Struck power pole landing. Carburetor heat inoperative. Carb icing prevalent.

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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