# NTSB BFO95LA042: Cessna 150, N3546V, Erie, PA, April 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 1995, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Erie, PA - Location: 42.1166° N, 80.0735° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Erie, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1166&lon=-80.0735&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9038 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9038/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA042 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING A LOW PASS OVER A GRASS STRIP, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE PILOT OVERFLEW THE STRIP AND ENTERED THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. DURING THE APPROACH THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE WAS TOO LOW AND THE PILOT ADDED POWER. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO 'FLOAT' DOWN THE RUNWAY AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BACKFIRE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO DO A GO AROUND, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE'S CLIMB RATE WAS DEGRADED AND THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT CLEAR TREES THAT SURROUNDED THE STRIP. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TREES. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD APPLIED HEAT TO THE CARBURETOR PRIOR TO THE LOW PASS. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO ANOMALIES. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND RAN FOR FIVE MINUTES WITH NO ANOMALIES NOTED. CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO LIGHT CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE OR CRUISE POWER EXISTED. ## Factual narrative On April 1, 1995, at 1030 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, N3546V, lost partial engine power during a low pass over Waisley Airport in Erie, Pennsylvania, and collided with trees during the emergency descent. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The local personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that during a low pass over the grass strip at Waisley Airport, the airplane's engine "...started to miss, spit, and sputter." The pilot stated that prior to the low pass he applied heat to the carburetor and left it on. The pilot said that he decided to make a precautionary landing and made a downwind pattern for the runway. The pilot reported, "Did a short downwind pattern, altitude indicated 1250 FT. agl on line up to runway. I was short of field, added a little power, 46V started to balloon, possibly from ground affect, 46V engine back fired twice, airstrip (Elev 950 FT-Runway L-2000 FT) 46V would land long, fearing collision to occupied house on west end of runway, gave 46V full throttle, turned slowly to left (to prevent stall)." The pilot stated that the airplane had "...a poor climb rate..." and would not clear obstacles around the runway. The pilot stated that he made an emergency landing off the airport and during the descent, the airplane collided with trees. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies. No contaminates were found in the fuel. The engine was started and run for about five minutes with no anomalies noted. No airframe anomalies were found. The pilot stated that he thought "...there was carburetor icing present." At 0952, the Erie Weather Observation Facility recorded a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 21 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Icing Probability Curves, conditions which are known to be favorable to the formation of light induction system icing at glide or cruise power existed. (See attached Icing Probability Curves.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3546V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3546V-1995-07-07), registration cancelled 1995-07-07, S/N 15076542 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15076542 - Airframe hours: 7545 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bilski, Joseph - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1994, 46 hours before - Departed: 8G2, CORRY-LAWRENCE, PA - Destination: 38PN - Airport: 38PN, Waisley Airstrip, runway 27, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,091 total, 870 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ERI ## 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 19950401006379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950401006379A), Apr 1, 1995: Cessna 150M, Mc Kean, PA, Substantial damage. Lost partial power on low pass over plane. Hit trees on forced landing. No engine anomalies. Carb icing conditions. ## Other investigations on N3546V (1) 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 CHI76DEC20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76DEC20), Jan 18, 1976: Cessna 150M (N3546V), Grosse Ile, MI, 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.