# NTSB CHI92LA077: Cessna 152, N152BA, Rockford, IL, January 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1992, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Rockford, IL
- Coordinates: 42.25072, -88.839866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2507&lon=-88.8399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA077

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED APPLICATION OF CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
- Forced landing, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS SECOND SOLO CROSS COUNTRY WHEN HE NOTICED A LOSS OF 200-300 ENGINE RPM WHILE CRUISING AT 3,000' MSL. HE SAID HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, AND THE ENGINE RAN ROUGHER. HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD WHILE HE STILL HAD SOME POWER AVAILABLE. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED TWO DITCHES DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. A SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES. INTERVIEWS WITH THE PILOT REVEALED HE BELIEVES THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING, AND THAT THE SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF POWER COULD HAVE BEEN PRECLUDED IF HE HAD APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT EARLIER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N152BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N152BA-2014-09-03), registration cancelled 2014-09-03, S/N 15282722, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282722
- Airframe hours: 2825
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Glenview Navy Flying Club
- Registered owner: Glenview Navy Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1991, 51 hours before
- Departed: NBU, GLENVIEW, IL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 43 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 9 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 19920120002479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920120002479A), Jan 20, 1992: Cessna 152, Rockforde, IL, Substantial damage. Rough engine and power loss. Struck ditches landing. Pilot beleives it was carburetor icing.

## Other investigations on N152BA (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 CEN12CA599](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA599), Aug 17, 2012: Cessna 152 (N152BA), Rockford, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies.

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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