# NTSB ATL90LA066: Cessna 150L, N6845G, Roxboro, NC, February 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1990, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Roxboro, NC
- Coordinates: 36.399208, -78.979682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3992&lon=-78.9797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8210
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8210/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA066

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE BEFORE LANDING CHECKLIST WHICH REQUIRES THE APPLICATION OF CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS WERE SOFT TERRAIN AT ACCIDENT SITE, AND CONDITION FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A LOCAL FLIGHT THE ENGINE SPUTTERED & QUIT ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE LANDING PATTERN. A FORCED LANDING IN SOFT TERRAIN RESULTED IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE NOSE GEAR & A NOSE OVER. THE PILOT SAID HE TOOK OFF WITH TEN GAL OF FUEL & FLEW ABOUT 50 MINUTES. FIRE PERSONNEL SAW FUEL POURING FROM THE VENTS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD REFUELED ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR & FOUND WATER IN THE FUEL AFTERWARDS, WHICH HE DRAINED. NO WATER WAS FOUND DURING HIS PRE FLIGHT NOR IN THE GASCOLATOR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE SPARK PLUGS HAD NO CARBON DEPOSITS ON THE ELECTRODES. THE ENGINE WAS MOUNTED ON A TEST STAND FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT & OPERATED NORMALLY. ACCORDING TO THE ICING PROBABILITY CURVES, WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6845G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6845G-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 15072345, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072345
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert O. Whitfield
- Departed: TDF
- Airport: TDF, Person County, runway 6, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 201 total, 72 in this make and model, 149 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 27 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 19900221002529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900221002529A), Feb 21, 1990: Cessna 150L, Roxboro, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Nosed over landing. No engine defects. Fuel leaking upside down. Over 2 gallons each tank not usable.

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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