CHI00LA046

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150B · Omaha, NE · December 14, 1999

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
December 14, 1999, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC)
Place
Omaha, NE
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N7339XCessna 150B
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 4, 2000
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19991214047219A
Case key
48519

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilots failure to use carburetor heat during takeoff in weather conducive for serious carburetor ice. Factors were the weather that was conducive for carburetor icing and the presence of the truck that the aircraft impacted.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerClimb
Weather condition - carburetor icing conditionsFactor
Carburetor heat - improper use ofPilot in command(cfi)Cause
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Object - vehicleFactor

Analysis

The aircraft experienced an engine failure after departure. The certified flight instructor (CFI) executed a forced landing on a road where the aircraft wing contacted a semi-truck. A postaccident examination revealed no preexisting anomalies with respect to the aircraft or aircraft systems. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunction. A weather report stated a temperature of 32 degrees F., and a dewpoint of 28 degrees F. According to the carburetor icing chart by Transport Canada, the temperature and dewpoint at the time of the accident fall within the range of serious icing potential. FAA AC 20-113 states, 'When the relative humidity is above 50 percent and the temperature is below 70 degrees F., apply carburetor heat briefly immediately before takeoff, particularly with float type carburetors, to remove any ice which may have been accumulated during taxi and runup.'

Factual narrative

On December 14, 1999, at 0910 central standard time, a Cessna 150B, N7339X, owned and piloted by a certified flight instructor (CFI), sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on a road, following an engine failure during climbout from the North Omaha Airport (3NO), Omaha, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The CFI and dual student reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In a written statement, the CFI stated, "shortly after departure, approximately 700 feet agl, 2,022 feet msl, the aircraft experienced a failed engine." The CFI stated that she executed a forced landing on a road and the aircraft contacted a semi-truck.

A postaccident examination of the aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed no preexisting anomalies with respect to the aircraft or aircraft systems. In a written report, the CFI reported no mechanical malfunction.

The Eppley Airfield weather reporting station (OMA), Omaha, Nebraska, located 7 miles on a magnetic heading of 124 degrees from the accident site reported, at 0852, clear skies, winds from 090 degrees at 6 knots, an altimeter setting of 29.80 inches of mercury, a temperature of 32 degrees F., and a dewpoint of 28 degrees F. A carburetor icing probability chart developed by Transport Canada depicts regions of temperature and dewpoint that are conducive for the development of carburetor ice. FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-113 "Pilot Precautions and Procedures to be Taken in Preventing Aircraft Reciprocating Engine Induction System and Fuel System Icing Problems" states under Prevention Procedures, "When the relative humidity is above 50 percent and the temperature is below 70 degrees F., apply carburetor heat briefly immediately before takeoff, particularly with float type carburetors, to remove any ice which may have been accumulated during taxi and runup.

Aircraft

Registration
N7339X
Reported as
Cessna 150B
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15059439
Airframe hours
9,454
Engine
Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
Natasha C. Holmstrom
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility
Last inspection
Annual · December 1, 1999 · 6 hours before
Departed
3NO

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
23
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Right
Flight hours
439 total · 301 in this make and model · 358 as pilot in command · 118 in the last 90 days · 24 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
90° at 6 knots
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
32 °F, dew point 28 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
OMA, 7 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.

Other investigations on N7339X · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.