# NTSB CHI91LA193: Cessna 120, N9008X, Spirit Lake, IA, June 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1991, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Spirit Lake, IA
- Coordinates: 43.419704, -95.110374 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4197&lon=-95.1104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15098
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15098/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA193

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER, LOSE POWER, THEN QUIT.  AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MAL-FUNCTION.  METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9008X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9008X-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 12680, 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 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12680
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fairchild, Timothy J.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 200 total, 15 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Observed at: 3SE, 20 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 19910616022149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910616022149A), Jun 16, 1991: Cessna STC120, Spirit Lake, IA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Nosed over in tall grass on forced landing. No defects found. Caburetor icing prevelant.

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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