# NTSB CHI95LA264: Cessna 150L, N11346, Murphysboro, IL, August 8, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 1995, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Murphysboro, IL - Coordinates: 37.759464, -89.329452 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7595&lon=-89.3295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9981 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9981/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA264 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat which led to a loss of power due to carburetor ice, and his failure to maintain airspeed during the forced landing. The carburetor icing conditions were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, emergency descent/landing - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE LEVELED THE AIRPLANE AND ADJUSTED THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO THE 'REQUIRED LEAN MIXTURE.' SUDDENLY THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO LOSE ALTITUDE. SUSPECTING CARBURETOR ICE, HE PULLED THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL ON, BUT THE ENGINE RPM CONTINUED TO DROP AND THE ENGINE THEN LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE NUMBERS 3 AND 4 SPARK PLUGS WERE SOOTY. THE REPORTED TEMPERATURE WAS 91 DEGREES AND THE DEW POINT WAS 71 DEGREES. THIS COMBINATION FALLS IN THE LIGHT ICING CATEGORY ON THE CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 1995, at 1815 central daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N11346, operated by Airgo Incorporated of Centralia, Illinois, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing. The recently certificated private pilot reported the loss of engine power occurred shortly after taking off from Southern Illinois Airport, Murphysboro, Illinois. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot reported that he took off from runway 36R (5,801' x 100') and started to climb. He stated that at approximately 2,000 feet mean sea level, he leveled the airplane and adjusted the mixture control "with the required lean mixture." "Suddenly the [airplane] started losing height," the pilot stated. The pilot stated that the engine RPM began to drop. Suspecting carburetor ice, he pulled the carburetor heat ON, but the RPM continued to drop and the engine then lost all power. Not being able to return to the airport, the pilot decided to make a forced landing on a road. "I made an approach and was almost on my final but unfortunately, the [airplane] suddenly dropped from an altitude of approximately 200 feet and resulted in the accident," the pilot stated. Cessna Aircraft Corporation and Teledyne Continental Motors were parties to the investigation. Postaccident examination revealed compression on all cylinders, the number 3 and 4 spark plugs were sooty, both magnetos sparked, and the carburetor was in good condition. No mechanical anomalies were found. A surface weather observation was taken 20 minutes before the time of the accident. The reported temperature was 91 degrees and the dew point was 71 degrees. The attached Carburetor Icing Probability Chart places this temperature and dew point combination in the light icing category. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11346](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11346-2012-05-24), registration cancelled 2012-05-24, S/N 15075338, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15075338 - Airframe hours: 5626 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Airgo Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1995, 57 hours before - Departed: MDH - Destination: ENL, CENTRALIA, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 161 total, 100 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MDH, 3 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 19950808023679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950808023679A), Aug 8, 1995: Cessna 150L, Carbondale-Murp, IL, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Stalled trying to land on a road. Suspect carburetor ice. No engine defects found. (-23) on August 18, 1995 at approximately 1815 CDT,… 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.