# NTSB DEN91LA078: Cessna 120, N76404, Fayetteville, AR, June 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1991, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Fayetteville, AR
- Location: 36.0626° N, 94.1574° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fayetteville, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0626&lon=-94.1574&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA078

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat control - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with object, landing

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, IN WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING, THE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED INTO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76404](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76404-1992-01-14), registration cancelled 1992-01-14, S/N 10830 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10830
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hurd, Donald A.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 506 total, 10 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F

## 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 19910603019199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910603019199A), Jun 3, 1991: Cessna 120, Weddington, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Mushed into trees did not use carb heat. Carb icing prevalent.

## Other investigations on N76404 (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 UNK64X2169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2169), Jun 7, 1964: Cessna 120 (N76404), Arlington, TX, substantial damage

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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