# NTSB ATL91LA081: Cessna 150F, N7919F, Whiteville, NC, April 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1991, 17:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Whiteville, NC
- Coordinates: 34.31908, -78.700988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3191&lon=-78.7010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA081

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT PLANNED TO FLY OVER HIS GRANDMOTHER'S FARM. HE HAD MADE ABOUT THREE CIRCLES AROUND HER HOUSE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN 'SPUTTERING.' HE ADJUSTED THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE FLIGHT REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT KNOB WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. AN ENGINE RUN REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT SPREAD AT THE TIME WAS 70/55 DEG, WHICH REPRESENTS CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7919F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7919F-1997-04-30), registration cancelled 1997-04-30, S/N 15064019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15064019
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Blackwell, Robert J.
- Registered owner: Blackwell, Robert J.
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1990, 55 hours before
- Departed: CPC, WHITEVILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 16; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 42 total, 38 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILM, 39 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 19910413010259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910413010259A), Apr 13, 1991: Cessna 150F, Whiteville, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit while circling relatives house. Too low struck trees on landing conditions good for carburetor 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.

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