# NTSB ERA24LA315: Cessna 182, N8523T, Zephyrhills, FL, July 18, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 18, 2024, 18:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Zephyrhills, FL - Coordinates: 28.25, -82.2 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2500&lon=-82.2000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 194741 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA315 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194741/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194741 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA315 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice as a result of the pilot’s delayed application of carburetor heat. ## 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 182C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=2072708), [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 182C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the airplane’s engine started to run rough. He applied carburetor heat, and the engine operation smoothed out. Less than a minute later, the roughness returned, and the engine lost all power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot attempted to land in a nearby field. The airplane collided with a fence during the descent and came to rest in a field with rough ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing assemblies. A postaccident examination and engine test run revealed no mechanical anomalies. Weather conditions near the accident site were conducive to carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings. Although the pilot applied carburetor heat following the engine roughness, it is likely that the ice accumulated to the degree that the carburetor heat was insufficient to maintain full power. ## Factual narrative On July 18, 2024, about 1835 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182C, N8523T, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Zephyrhills, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that after departing Tampa Executive Airport for a round-trip flight, he made a touch-and-go landing at Cross City Airport. While en route to Zephyrhills Municipal Airport for a fuel stop, the airplane’s engine started to run rough. He applied carburetor heat, and the engine smoothed out briefly before losing power again. Unable to maintain flight, he pitched for best glide, declared an emergency to air traffic control, and attempted to land in a nearby field. The airplane collided with a fence during the descent and came to rest in a field with rough terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wing assemblies. The engine remained attached to the fuselage. The fuel system was found to be intact, with no breaches or damage, and no fuel contamination was detected. After connecting the battery, the engine was successfully started and ran normally. The magnetos were tested, showing a normal rpm drop. Throttle continuity was established and the engine responded normally to throttle adjustments. After the engine run, the spark plugs were inspected and showed normal coloration, consistent with the Champion Spark Plug chart. No anomalies were found that would have prevented normal operation. The reported weather conditions about 3 nautical miles from the accident site included a temperature of 89° F and a dew point 77° F. When plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart, the airplane was operating in an environment conducive for carburetor icing at a glide and cruise power setting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8523T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8523T), registered now, S/N 52423, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52423 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 4751 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 2023, 497 hours before - Departed: VDF, Tampa, FL - Destination: ZPH, Zephyrhills, FL - Airport: ZPH, Zephyrhills Muni - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,206 total, 1,018 in this make and model, 1,147 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KZPH, 3 nm away - METAR: METAR KZPH 182235Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT060 SCT100 32/25 A3001 RMK A02 LTG DSNT N S AND SW T03160250= ## 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 20240718010609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240718010609A), Jul 18, 2024: Cessna 182C, Zephyrhills, FL, Substantial damage. At approximately 1835 local time as the aircraft was decending towards the airport, the aircraft engine experianced roughness and the pilot applied carb heat.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194741. 8.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18024593&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_1%20Form%20Jason%20R.%20Horning_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine examination summary (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18025375&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20LA315-Rel.pdf - Maintenance record excerpts (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18025385&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20record%20excerpts%20LA315_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing chart (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18025689&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carb%20Ice%20Chart-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18024924&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA315-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.