# NTSB FTW91LA024: Cessna 152, N68776, Gilmer, TX, December 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1990, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Gilmer, TX
- Coordinates: 32.729248, -94.940681 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7292&lon=-94.9407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA024

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE MANEUVERING AT 700 FEET MSL WHILE ON A PIPELINE PATROL AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL CARBURETOR HEAT AS HE STARTED TO TURN TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT TO AN OPEN PASTURE. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT ABLE TO CLEAR THE 20 TO 30 FEET TREES ADJACENT TO THE OPEN PASTURE AND THE UNSUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING TERMINATED WITH THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AFTER IMPACTING THE TREES. THE PILOT TOLD THE FAA INSPECTOR THAT HE NORMALLY FLEW WITH THE CARBURETOR HEAT PARTIALLY OPEN. THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT INDUCED THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68776](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68776-1992-09-16), registration cancelled 1992-09-16, S/N 15282370 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282370
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Barr Air Patrol, Inc.
- Departed: 07F, LONGVIEW, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 11,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Observed at: GGG, 23 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 19901210053419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901210053419A), Dec 10, 1990: Cessna 152, Gilmer, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on pipeline patrol,landed in trees. Icing prevalent. Carb heat partial on which allows carburetor icing

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.

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