# NTSB ATL93LA117: Temco GC-1B, N3255K, Cleveland, GA, June 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1993, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, GA
- Coordinates: 34.589248, -83.76091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5892&lon=-83.7609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA117

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, RESULTING IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. FACTORS WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, AND THE TREES LOCATED AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## 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)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE TAKING OFF ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY. THE PILOT ROTATED, RAISED THE LANDING GEAR, AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ENGINE INITIALLY SOUNDED STRONG, THEN A GRADUAL DECREASE IN ENGINE POWER WAS HEARD. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THERE WAS FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS AND CARBURETOR. AN AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC WITH INSPECTION AUTHORITY REPORTED THAT CONDITIONS AT THE AIRPORT WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS EXISTED, ACCORDING TO CARBURETOR ICING CHARTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3255K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3255K-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 1248, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEMCO GC-1B
- Registry model: [Temco GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/temco-gc-1b) (registry code 9230108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C125 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c125-series) (registry code 17011, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1248
- Airframe hours: 3021
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ferguson, Robert C.
- Registered owner: Ferguson, Robert C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1993, 37 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: 83A, Mountain Air Park, runway 35, 2,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,939 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,765 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 43 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 19930626020479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930626020479A), Jun 26, 1993: Univac STCGC1, Cleveland, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power on initial climbout. Crashed into trees. Severe carburetor icing conditions existed. No anomaliles.

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.