# NTSB ERA15LA063: Cessna 182, N759VG, Hartford, CT, November 29, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 29, 2014, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Hartford, CT - Coordinates: 41.689445, -72.864723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6894&lon=-72.8647&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 90436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90436/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90436 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA063 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power during climb after takeoff for a reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## 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 182Q, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072732), [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 182Q, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was conducting a personal flight. He reported that, while the airplane was climbing after takeoff, he noticed that the engine began running roughly, and it then lost power. The pilot attempted to regain full power by using the carburetor heat but was unsuccessful, so he decided to conduct a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a chain link fence. Postaccident examination of the engine and airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and fuel was found in the fuel system. Although weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing during cruise flight, the airplane was operating at takeoff power at the time of the power loss. ## Factual narrative On November 29, 2014, at 1500 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182Q, N759VG, was substantially damaged when it collided with a fence during an forced landing in West Hartford, Connecticut. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The flight originated from Robertson Field Airport (4B8), Plainville, Connecticut at 1450. According to the pilot, he was at a reduced power setting and climbing when he noticed that the engine began to run rough and lose power. He assumed that the carburetor was collecting ice and engaged the carburetor heat control to eliminate the presence of any ice. He verified that the fuel selector was in the on position and all engine instruments were operating in the green; but the engine continued to run rough and lose power. After determining that the airplane could not maintain altitude and the engine would not regain power, he attempted a forced landing on a road. During the forced landing the right wing collided with a chain link fence and separated from the fuselage. Examination of the wreckage at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the engine sustained impact damage, but all major accessories remained securely attached to the engine. The three-bladed propeller remained attached to the engine and the propeller flange was bent. All three propeller blades were bent aft, and one blade exhibited gouging along the span of the blade. Due to impact damage a test-run of the engine was not possible. The engine was manually rotated via the propeller and compression and valve train continuity were produced for each cylinder. The upper spark plugs were removed and appeared clean. The magnetos were removed and spun. Spark was produced to each ignition lead. Continuity of the throttle and mixture controls and the carburetor heat system was established from the cockpit to the carburetor. Fuel was observed flowing through the carburetor when the throttle control was moved. The carburetor was removed and disassembled. The fuel bowl and carburetor screens were absent of debris. An undetermined amount of fuel was found in the fuel bowl, fuel line from the bowl to the carburetor, and the carburetor. No pre mishap mechanical deficiencies were noted with the engine or airplane that would have precluded normal operation at the time of the accident. According to the FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing during cruise flight at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N759VG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759VG), registered now, S/N 18266289, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (Q) - Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18266289 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 2453 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Danny Hall - Registered owner: Danny Hall - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 2014, 28 hours before - Departed: 4B8, Plainville, CT - Destination: HFD, Hartford, CT - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 726 total, 224 in this make and model, 726 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: HFD, 6 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 20141129021659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141129021659A), Nov 29, 2014: Cessna 182Q, West Hartford, CT, Destroyed. The aircraft was in a slight climb at approximately 1000 - 1200 feet per minute climbing from 800 to 2000 feet towards khfd. About 8 miles from khfd the pilot… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90436. 8.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Airframe Logbook Excerpts N759VG (item 4, .PDF, 749 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20Logbook%20Excerpts%20N759VG-Master.PDF - Engine Logbook Excerpts N759VG (item 5, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Logbook%20Excerpts%20N759VG-Master.PDF - Propeller Logbook Excerpts N759VG (item 6, .PDF, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Propeller%20Logbook%20Excerpts%20N759VG-Master.PDF - SAIB Carburetor Icing (item 7, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=SAIB%20Carburetor%20Icing-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 8, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.