# NTSB ERA19LA226: Cessna 120, N3886V, Summit, SC, July 13, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 13, 2019, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Summit, SC - Coordinates: 33.935832, -81.430831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9358&lon=-81.4308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 99836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99836/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99836 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA226 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice formation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis After a 30-minute local flight, the pilot returned to the departure airport to conduct touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. While descending toward the airport, he applied carburetor heat when the engine power was below 1,200 rpm, and intermittently applied power during the descent. After touching down, the pilot applied throttle to take off, and about 40 to 50 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. He slipped the airplane to land on the remaining runway, then applied brakes to prevent a runway overrun. The airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed minor discrepancies and mis-timed magnetos that likely existed during the initial takeoff, but would not have caused the reported loss of engine power. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide (idle) and cruise engine power settings. Thus, it is likely that, during the descent and approach when carburetor heat was applied only when operating at a reduced power setting, carburetor ice formed, which subsequently resulted in a total loss of engine power during the initial climb. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 2019, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 120, N3886V was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Summit, South Carolina. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane which included a check of the wing fuel tanks and fuel strainer for contaminants; none were found. He departed, and after about 30 minutes, he switched the fuel selector to the left tank and returned to the airport to perform touch-and-go landings. The pilot applied carburetor heat during the descent and approach when the engine was operating below 1,200 rpm and regularly “cleared” the engine by increasing engine power. After touchdown, the pilot pushed carburetor heat off and applied full throttle to take off again, adding that the engine felt and sounded like it was producing full power. About 40 to 50 ft above ground level, the engine lost power and he slipped the airplane to lose altitude, landing on the remaining runway. During the landing roll, the pilot applied brakes to prevent a runway overrun, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Impact damage to the intake manifold assembly precluded an engine run. Examination of the engine was performed by a mechanic following recovery of the airplane. The fuel strainer and carburetor bowl were full of blue-colored liquid consistent with 100 low lead aviation fuel; slight particulate contamination was noted in the carburetor bowl. No blockage or obstructions of the air induction, exhaust, fuel vent, or fuel supply system from each tank to the engine through the fuel selector valve in the left and right positions was noted. Compression was established for each cylinder, and examination with a lighted borescope revealed no anomalies, with the exception of the No. 2 exhaust valve, which exhibited some discoloration. The left and right magnetos were timed 27.5° and 20.0° before top center (BTC), respectively (specification for left and right are 30° BTC and 28° BTC, respectively). All spark plugs exhibited evidence of a rich fuel/air ratio. Carburetor heat control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the airbox. The carburetor heat was in the off position; impact damage to the door at the airbox precluded activation from the cockpit. At 1156, the weather reported at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), about 16 miles west of the accident site, included a temperature of 32°C and a dewpoint of 22°C. The calculated relative humidity at this temperature and dewpoint was about 58 percent. Review of the icing probability chart contained within Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were "conducive to icing at glide [idle] and cruise power." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Pilot's Handbook of AeronauticalKnowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B) recommends full application of carburetor heat before reducing the throttle for closed throttle operation if carburetor icing conditions are anticipated, and to leave it on during the closed-throttle operation. The publication also stated that, periodically, the throttle should be opened smoothly for a few seconds to keep the engine sufficiently warm to prevent carburetor icing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3886V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3886V-2021-03-27), registration cancelled 2021-03-27, S/N 12549, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12549 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3200 - Engines: Continental C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2018, 52 hours before - Departed: 24SC, Summit, SC - Destination: 24SC, Summit, SC - Airport: 24SC, The Farm Airport, runway 31, 2,600 × 180 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 430 total, 52 in this make and model, 375 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: CAE, 16 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 20190713011559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190713011559A), Jul 13, 2019: Cessna 120, Summit, SC, Substantial damage. N3886V transitioned from touch and go to climb out on a private grass strip. The engine began to sputter and the pilot decided to abort the climb out and make… ## Other investigations on N3886V (2) 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 LAX66F0045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66F0045), Jul 14, 1965: Cessna 195 (N3886V), Van Nuys, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X0307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0307), Jan 20, 1964: Cessna 195 (N3886V), Van Nuys, CA, minor damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 16, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99836. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 756 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9279687&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1%20Pilot_Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident_Incident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9279863&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Weather reports and records (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9282842&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from FAA SAIB CE-09-35 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9283544&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20FAA%20SAIB%20CE-09-35-Rel.pdf - Statment from mechanic who performed postaccident inspection of the engine (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9279187&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Postaccident%20Inspection%20Findings_ERA19LA226-Rel.pdf - Investigative photograph (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 439 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9283683&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 351 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9279584&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_ERA19LA226_Redacted-Rel.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.