# NTSB ERA19TA051: Cessna E162, N70252, Franklin, NC, November 16, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: November 16, 2018, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Franklin, NC - Coordinates: 35.101943, -83.385276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1019&lon=-83.3853&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98655 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19TA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98655/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98655 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA051 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in applying carburetor heat, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during descent due to carburetor icing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=060005E), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=060005E), [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 162, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot reported that, while conducting a personal, cross-country flight and while nearing the destination airport, he reduced the engine rpm from 2,350 to 2,200 and began a slow descent from a cruise altitude of 3,500 ft mean sea level (msl) to a traffic pattern altitude of 2,800 ft msl. He added that the carburetor heat was not on at that time, and that, about 2 minutes later, he noticed that the engine had lost all power without any roughness or sputtering. The pilot turned on the carburetor heat, positioned the mixture to full rich, and confirmed that the fuel shutoff valve was not engaged; however, the engine did not respond, so he subsequently conducted a forced landing to a field, during which the right wing struck a fence, and the airplane came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the airplane and the engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, and the engine was successfully test run. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power, and the Pilot's Operating Handbook Descent Checklist instructed pilots to apply carburetor heat, as required, during descent. Therefore, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated during cruise flight and that the pilot applied the carburetor heat too late to melt the ice, which resulted in the loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he did not fully understand the potentially subtle nature of carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On November 16, 2018, about 1015 eastern standard time, a Cessna 162, N70252, operated by Lanier Flight Center, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near Franklin, North Carolina. The sport pilot received minor injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (GVL), Gainesville, Georgia, about 0900. The flight was destined to Macon County Airport (1A5), Franklin, North Carolina. The sport pilot reported that near the destination airport, he reduced engine rpm from 2,350 to 2,200 and began a slow descent from cruise altitude of 3,500 ft mean sea level (msl) to traffic pattern altitude of 2,800 ft msl. The carburetor heat was not on at that time and about 2 minutes later, he became aware that the engine had lost all power without any roughness or sputtering. The sport pilot positioned the carburetor heat to on, mixture to full rich, and confirmed the fuel shut-off valve was not engaged; however, he was unable to restart the engine. During a forced landing to a field, the right wing struck a fence and the airplane came to rest inverted. The sport pilot further stated that after the accident, the operator inspected the airplane. Adequate fuel remained onboard and was absent of contamination. Additionally, no preimpact mechanical malfunctions were identified with the airframe or engine. The operator subsequently attempted a test-run of the engine on the airframe and the engine started and ran normally. The sport pilot added that he did not have a full understanding of the potentially subtle nature of carburetor ice. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the right wing and fuselage. The inspector confirmed that at his request, the operator completed a successful test-run of the engine on the airframe. The recorded weather at the destination airport, at 1020, included a temperature of 5° C and a dewpoint of 0° C. Review of an FAA carburetor icing chart for the given conditions revealed "Serious icing (cruise power)." Review of a pilot operating handbook for the make and model airplane revealed "…Descent…5. CARB HEAT Control Know – ON (as required)…." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70252](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70252-2020-07-29), registration cancelled 2020-07-29, S/N 16200071, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna E162 (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna 162](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-162) (registry code 060005E) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16200071 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 1360 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lanier Flight Center - Registered owner: Lanier Equipment Leasing Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 26, 2018, 32 hours before - Departed: GVL, Gainesville, GA - Destination: 1A5, Franklin, NC - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 13, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 159 total, 159 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: 1A5, 7 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 20181116017279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181116017279A), Nov 16, 2018: Cessna Aircraft Co 162, Franklin, NC, Substantial damage. Flight route: lee gilmer memorial (kgvl) to macon county airport (KIA5). Pilot reported, the engine quit running at approximately 47 minutes after departure… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98655. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469089&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469166&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Excerpt from Cessna 162 POH (item 3, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Cessna%20162%20POH-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF - FAA Carburetor Icing Chart (item 6, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Chart-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.