# NTSB ERA15LA145: Cessna 152, N498TC, Venice, FL, March 3, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 3, 2015, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Venice, FL - Coordinates: 27.059722, -82.347778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.0597&lon=-82.3478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 14, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90825/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90825 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA145 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident testing of the engine revealed no anomalies. ## 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. - [Maneuvering: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/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) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he and the student pilot departed on a local training flight. After completing maneuvers at 2,000 ft, the flight instructor initiated a simulated engine failure and proceeded to demonstrate the forced landing procedure to the student. He selected a field as the forced landing location and applied carburetor heat. After turning onto final approach for the field at an altitude of about 500 ft, the flight instructor discontinued the simulation by turning off the carburetor heat and applying engine power to initiate a climb. The flight instructor stated that the engine then "sputtered and produced no power," and he subsequently conducted a forced landing to the field. During postaccident examination of the airplane, no fuel was observed in either of the two wing fuel tanks; however, the fuel quantity at the time of the accident could not be determined because a fuel line was damaged during impact, and fuel might have leaked out postaccident. An auxiliary fuel supply was plumbed into the fuel system, and the engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously with no anomalies observed. ## Factual narrative On March 3, 2015, about 1100 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N498TC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Venice, Florida. The flight instructor (CFI) was not injured, and the student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which departed Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Venice. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The CFI stated that he and the student departed VNC for a local training flight with 18 gallons of fuel onboard. After completing maneuvers at 2,000 feet, the CFI initiated a simulated engine failure and proceeded to demonstrate the forced landing procedure to the student. He selected a field as a forced landing location, and carburetor heat was applied. After turning onto final approach for the selected field at an altitude of about 500 feet, the CFI discontinued the simulation by turning off the carburetor heat and applying engine power to initiate a climb. The engine "sputtered and produced no power," and after ensuring the proper positions of the fuel selector valve, mixture control, and engine primer, the CFI conducted a forced landing to the field. Upon touchdown, the left wing contacted the ground and the airplane "cartwheeled." The airplane came to rest upright, and the CFI and student subsequently egressed. The CFI stated that the accident airplane had performed without anomalies during another instructional flight just prior to the accident flight, during which he also conducted a simulated engine failure. The airplane was manufactured in 1979 and was equipped with one Lycoming O-235 series, 110-hp reciprocating engine, which had accumulated 3,484 hours since overhaul. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on February 13, 2015, and as of the accident flight, had accumulated about 29 hours since that date. The CFI held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument airplane; as well as a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class medical certificate was issued in September 2013. He reported 6,244 total hours of flight experience, of which 352 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings and the forward fuselage. There was no fuel observed in either of the airplane's two wing fuel tanks; however, fuel quantity at the time of the accident could not be determined as a fuel line was damaged during impact. The airplane was subsequently removed from the site, the starter was replaced, and an auxiliary fuel supply was plumbed into the airplane's fuel system. The engine started immediately, acceleratedsmoothly, and ran continuously with no anomalies observed. The carburetor heat control could not be manipulated due to impact damage. In a written statement, the flight instructor indicated that he had flown the accident airplane on a training flight prior to the accident flight on the day of the accident. Fueling records provided by the operator indicated that the airplane was last serviced at 1122 EST the day prior to the accident with 10.36 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. The operator did not, however, provide flight records for the airplane; therefore, total flight time since the airplane's most recent fueling could not be determined. The 1115 weather observation at VNC, located about 5 miles west of the accident site, included wind from 140 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 17 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 26 degrees C, dew point 18 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.21 inches of mercury. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart indicated the potential for serious icing at glide power given the atmospheric conditions present about the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N498TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N498TC-2021-04-17), registration cancelled 2021-04-17, S/N 15283390, built 1979 (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: 15283390 - Year built: 1979 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 118 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Florida Flight Training Center - Registered owner: Midin Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 13, 2015 - Departed: VNC, Venice, FL - Destination: VNC, Venice, FL - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 48; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 10, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,244 total, 352 in this make and model, 5,720 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10 total, 7 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KVNC, 5 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 20150303001719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150303001719A), Mar 3, 2015: Cessna 152, FL, Substantial damage. On March 3, 2015 at approximately 1030 am aircraft N498TC, CE-152, departed venice airport, on-board was the instructor and a student pilot. After completing… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90825. 5.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - CFI and Student Pilot Statements (item 3, .PDF, 577 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20and%20Student%20Pilot%20Statements-Master.PDF - Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (item 4, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433567&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Master.PDF - Fuel Records (item 5, .PDF, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo (item 6, .PDF, 1 photo, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433568&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.