# NTSB CHI02LA118: Cessna 120, N6RP, Racine, WI, April 30, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 30, 2002, 08:10 local (13:10 UTC) - Place: Racine, WI - Coordinates: 42.749374, -87.81044 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7494&lon=-87.8104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Teledyne Continental Motors, FAA-Milwaukee, Wisconsin-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54612 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54612/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54612 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA118 ## Probable cause The inadequate weather evaluation and delayed application of carburetor heat by the pilot, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. The carburetor icing conditions and the low altitude were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered (cause) - altitude - low (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane struck a building during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during a landing approach. The pilot said that when he was 6.5 - 7 miles from his destination, he switched to the right fuel tank. He said the right fuel tank was "fullest". He reported that the engine stopped developing power as he neared the base leg of the traffic pattern. He said the power loss happened as he was making a power reduction. The pilot said that he verified the carburetor heat and magneto switch positions and he then attempted to restart the engine. The pilot stated that he had applied carburetor heat at, "...midpoint on downwind." The pilot said that he was in an area with, "...too many homes between [his] loaction and the [airport]." No anomalies were found with respect to the airframe, engine, or systems that could be identified as existing prior to impact. The weather at the destination airport listed a temperature of 9 degrees Celsius and a dew point of 1 degrees Celsius. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, the temperature and dew point were in the range of serious icing at descent power or moderate icing at cruise power. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 2002, at 0810 central daylight time, a Cessna 120, N6RP, piloted by a private pilot, was substantailly damaged when it struck a building while approaching to land on runway 32 (4,423 feet by 100 feet, asphalt), at the John H. Batten Airport (RAC), Racine, Wisconsin. The pilot reported that, while in the traffic pattern, the engine lost power. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operated in visual meteorological conditions, and was not on a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The local flight originated from the Sylvania Airport, Sturtevant, Wisconsin, at 0730. In his written statement, the pilot said he took off at 0730 to, "...continue my break-in of my newly overhauled engine. This flight was the 7th hour since [major overhaul]." The pilot said that he decided to fly the airplane to RAC. He said that when he was 6.5 to 7 miles southwest of RAC he switched to the right fuel tank. He said the right fuel tank was "fullest". The pilot said that the the engine stopped developing power in the traffic pattern as he approached a position 45 degrees from his intended touchdown point. He said the power loss happened as he was making a power reduction. The pilot said that he verified the carburetor heat and magneto switch positions and he then attempted to restart the engine. The pilot stated that he had applied carburetor heat at, "...midpoint on downwind." The pilot said that he was in an area with, "...too many homes between [his] location and the [airport]." The airplane struck a building during the forced landing. A postaccident examination of the airplane was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. Fuel was found in both wing fuel tanks. The fuel selector and fuel lines were examined and no blockage or other pre-impact anomalies were found. No fuel contamination was found. Engine valve train continuity was established by rotating the engine crankshaft. "Thumb" compression was exhibited on all cylinders. Spark was observed for the top spark plug leads during engine rotation. The magneto switch was checked with a multi-meter and no disrepencies were found. The carburetor was broken loose from the induction manifold. No other anomalies were found with respect to the carburetor. No anomalies were found with respect to the airframe, engine, or systems that could be identified as existing prior to impact. The weather at RAC at 0753 was: Winds - 290 degrees magnetic at 11 knots; Visibility - 10 statute miles; Sky condition - clear; Temperature - 9 degrees Celsius; Dew Point - 1 degree Celsius; Altimeter setting - 29.91 inches of Mercury. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, the temperature and dew point were in the range of serious icing at descent power or moderate icing at cruise power. The Federal Aviation Administration and Teledyne Continental Motors were parties to the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6RP-2002-07-24), registration cancelled 2002-07-24, S/N 12635, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12635 - Airframe hours: 2526 - Engines: Continental C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eugene A. DeGrazia - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2002, 7 hours before - Departed: C89, STURTEVANT, WI - Airport: RAC, John H Batten, runway 32, 4,423 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 24, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 432 total, 24 in this make and model, 341 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KRAC, 1 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 20020430010829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020430010829A), Apr 30, 2002: Cessna 120, Racine, WI, No damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power on approach to land at Racine, WI (rac). Attempts to restart failed. Aircraft landed on factory roof, crashed through block wall and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54612. 474 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432688&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Carburetor Icing Chart (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40164528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Chart-Master.PDF 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.