# NTSB ERA18LA050: Cessna 152, N95550, Everglades City, FL, December 16, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 2017, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Everglades City, FL - Coordinates: 25.863611, -81.034721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.8636&lon=-81.0347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96493/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96493 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA050 ## Probable cause The loose nut connecting the mixture control cable to the mixture control arm, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to control the mixture and the subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel controlling system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/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 152, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: 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) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while in level cruise flight on the personal flight, he adjusted the throttle and mixture controls. Shortly after, the engine lost total power. Emergency engine procedures did not restore engine power, and the pilot selected a nearby airport for a forced landing. During the subsequent emergency landing, the airplane struck a perimeter fence before impacting the ground just short of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. A postaccident engine examination revealed that when the mixture control was manipulated, the cable moved, but the mixture arm on the carburetor did not move. When the fiber lock nut that attached the mixture cable to the mixture arm was tightened, the mixture linkage operated normally. The engine was then started and operated at various power settings. Given the absence of mechanical issues other than the loose mixture control fiber lock nut, it is likely that the mixture linkage became loose and the mixture control arm vibrated to the lean direction, which resulted in the mixture being too lean and the engine losing total power. ## Factual narrative On December 16, 2017, about 1320 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N95550, experienced a total loss of engine power and impacted terrain prior to the runway at Oasis Ranger Station – US Government Airport (9FL7), Everglades City, Florida. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the two private pilots were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Flying Academy Miami as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight originated at Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida, and was destined for Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Venice, Florida. According to the pilot flying, they departed TMB with about 26 gallons of fuel and climbed to a cruise altitude of 4,500 ft mean sea level (msl). He reduced engine power, leaned the mixture, and approximately 5 minutes later, the engine lost total power. He declared an emergency and elected to try to land at 9FL7, which was nearby, and began attempting to restart the engine. The airplane continued to descend, they entered the base leg of the traffic pattern, and he "secured the cockpit for landing," by leaning the mixture, pulling the throttle fully aft, turning the carburetor heat and the electrical equipment off. According to the pilot not flying, while on final approach to the runway, they unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine "one last time," but the propeller "only spun three times and then stopped." While on short final, the airplane struck an airport perimeter fence prior to impacting the ground just short of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright in a grassy area. An examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage was wrinkled and substantially damaged. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate in 1984, and registered to the corporation in 2016. It was equipped with a Lycoming O-235-L2C, a 110-hp, engine. According to the engine maintenance logbook, the most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on November 24, 2017, at a total time of 10,264.5 hours, and a tach time of 1899.3 hours. The most recent work on the carburetor occurred on July 4, 2017, when it was replaced at a tach time of 1747.7 hours. No other entries or remarks were in the maintenance logs associated with the carburetor. The tachometer time at the time of the accident was 1930.5 hours. An examination of the engine by a National Transportation Safety Board investigator revealed that it remained attached to the airframe. Suction and compression were confirmed on all the cylinders and the spark plugs exhibited normal wear when compared to the Champion Check-A-Plug Chart. The throttle linkage remained secure to the carburetor. The mixture control was manipulated, and the cable moved, but the mixture arm on the carburetor did not move. The fiber locking nut that attached themixture cable to the mixture arm was tightened and then the mixture cable and arm moved without anomaly. The airplane was secured to a trailer, fuel was plumbed into to the carburetor, and the engine was started. It ran smoothly, the engine power was increased with the throttle until an increase in RPM was noted, and then the engine was shutdown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95550](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95550-2019-04-17), registration cancelled 2019-04-17, S/N 15285918, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 (NO SERIES) - 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: 15285918 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 10264.5 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flying Academy Miami - Registered owner: Flying Academy Miami - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 24, 2017, 31 hours before - Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL - Destination: VNC, VENICE, FL - Airport: 9FL7, Oasis Ranger Station-U S Gover, runway 18, 2,060 × 150 ft, gravel - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 29.8 as pilot in command - Pilot-rated passenger; age 21; injuries: none; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: TMB, 35 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 20171216021169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171216021169A), Dec 16, 2017: Cessna 152, Ochopee, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft made an emergency landing at big Cypress Oasis Ranger station airfield (9FL7) after engine failure at 4000 ft. on the approach, the aircraft landing… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96493. 7.6 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=40479646&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilots' Statements (item 2, .PDF, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilots%27%20Statements-Master.PDF - Engine Examination (item 3, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20-Master.PDF - Most Recent Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Most%20Recent%20Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Weather Observations (item 5, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Accident Site Diagram (item 6, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Investigative Photographs (item 7, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Master.PDF - Parts Catalog Engine Installation Excerpt (item 8, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Parts%20Catalog%20Engine%20Installation%20Excerpt-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.