# NTSB ERA12LA106: Cessna 152, N471TC, Venice, FL, December 9, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 9, 2011, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Venice, FL - Coordinates: 27.071388, -82.440277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.0714&lon=-82.4403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82485 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82485/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82485 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA106 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination and testing did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice flight maneuvers for an upcoming checkride. Prior to takeoff, the pilot fueled the airplane and performed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted. After practicing the flight maneuvers, the pilot flew the airplane back to the airport in order to practice touch-and-go landings. During the takeoff portion of the first touch-and-go maneuver, the engine lost power about 100 to 150 feet above ground level. The pilot initiated a left turn to land in a nearby field, but he realized that the airplane was too low so he performed a forced landing between hangars; the airplane collided with powerlines and a building. A postaccident examination revealed adequate fuel on board. An engine test run was performed and the engine operated satisfactorily with no anomalies noted. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 2011, at 1040, eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N471TC, registered to Florida Flight Training Center and operated by an individual, incurred substantial damage during a force landing near the Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Venice, Florida. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, personal flight. The flight was originating from the same airport. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice flight maneuvers for an upcoming checkride. Prior to takeoff, he fueled the airplane and performed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted. The airplane had 18 gallons of fuel on board prior to takeoff. The pilot departed the airport about 0955 and flew to the practice area to perform the maneuvers. After practicing flight maneuvers, he flew the airplane back to VNC in order to practice touch-and-go takeoff and landing maneuvers. During the takeoff of the first touch-and-go maneuver, the engine “suddenly quit” at an altitude of 100-150 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot initiated a left turn in order to land in a nearby field, but he realized that the airplane was too low and performed a forced landing between hangars and subsequently, the airplane struck powerlines and a hangar. The pilot noted that the total flight time for the flight was 0.8 hours. The local authorities stated that pilot said the airplane had a loss of engine power during the initial climb after a touch and go landing on runway 04 at VNC. After the loss of power, the pilot maneuvered the airplane in a left turn colliding with electrical wires before impacting a business building. In addition, local police interviewed a witness who stated that he was on airport property when he heard the accident airplane engine “stop” when the airplane was 100 feet agl and then “start” again. The witness reported that the airplane continued to climb to 200 feet agl when the engine quit again, then started and stopped when the airplane was in a turn to the left. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducted an examination of the airplane’s fuel systems at the accident site. No discrepancies were noted and sufficient fuel to operate the airplane was on board at the time of the accident. A post wreckage recovery engine run was conducted with FAA oversight. An engine run was conducted with operational checks of the carburetor heat system and magnetos. Additionally, full power and engine acceleration checks were performed with no discrepancies noted. The engine started, produced, and maintained power with no anomalies noted during the test run. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land, which he earned in September 2011. In addition, FAA records indicated that he held a foreign based pilot certificate. He reported that he accumulated 2,497 total hours of flight experience, of which,25 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on August 25, 2011. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1977 and was equipped with a Lycoming O-235-L2C, 110 horsepower engine. The most recent 100-hour inspection was performed on November 24, 2011, and at that time the airplane had accrued 2981.1 total hours of time in service. According to the engine maintenance log, the most recent oil change was performed on December 6, 2011, at 3012.2 hours of time in service. On the day of the accident, the tachometer indicated 3017.3 total hours of time in service. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N471TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N471TC-2013-03-12), registration cancelled 2013-03-12, S/N 15280203, built 1977 (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: 15280203 - Airframe hours: 3017 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 24, 2011 - Departed: Venice, FL - Destination: VNC, Venice, FL - Airport: VNC, Venice Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 23, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 2,197 total, 25 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 12 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KVNC, 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 20111209029069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111209029069A), Dec 9, 2011: Cessna 152, Venice, FL, Destroyed. On deceember 9, 2011, at 1115 EDT, a Cessna 152, N471TC, registered to Florida flight center, lost engine power after a touch and go at Venice airport, Venice… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 13, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82485. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 514 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382377&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Police Report (item 2, .PDF, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 3, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation with Chief Pilot of Flight School (item 4, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Chief%20Pilot%20of%20Flight%20School-Master.PDF - Maintenance Log Excerpts (item 5, .PDF, 548 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Flight School Emergency Engine Out Checklist (item 6, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20School%20Emergency%20Engine%20Out%20Checklist-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 7, .PDF, 363 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Airplane Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 340 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382381&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.