LAX03LA044

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 150H · Twentynine Palm, CA · December 3, 2002

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
December 2, 2002, 19:30 local (Dec 3, 2002, 03:30 UTC)
Place
Twentynine Palm, CA
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N50346Cessna 150H
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed · report December 28, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20021202032919A
Case key
56162

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The improper use of carburetor heat, and the instructor's inadequate supervision which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanicalTakeoff - initial climb
Light condition - night
Carburetor heat - improper use ofFlightcrewCause
Weather condition - carburetor icing conditionsCause
Supervision - inadequatePilot in command(cfi)Cause
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
Nose overLanding - roll
Terrain condition - high vegetation

Analysis

The airplane experienced a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb and impacted terrain during a forced landing. After completing two uneventful landings, the student pilot input full throttle and began the third takeoff of the day. Over halfway down the runway, about 75 feet above ground level, the student told the CFI that he did not think the engine was developing full power. The CFI took over the controls and confirmed that the partial power condition. While attempting a soft field landing, the nose landing gear impacted a bush and the airplane nosed over. Temperatures were obtained from a weather reporting station located 14 miles west-northwest of the airport. At 1855, the temperature was 52 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 32 degrees Fahrenheit. At 2000, the temperature was 48 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures and dew points were applied to an industry standard Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, and both were within the "serious icing at glide power" portion of the chart.

Factual narrative

On December 2, 2002, at 1930 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 150H, N50346, experienced a loss of engine power and collided with terrain during a forced landing near Twentynine Palms, California. A private individual was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Neither the certified flight instructor (CFI) nor the student pilot was injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local instructional flight originated at Twentynine Palms Airport about 1900.

In a written statement, the CFI stated that the purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to perform practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings on runway 26. After completing two uneventful landings, the student pilot input full throttle and began the third takeoff. Over halfway down the runway, about 75 feet above ground level, the student told the CFI that he did not think the engine was developing full power. The CFI took over the controls and confirmed the partial power condition. He attempted to maintain altitude by pitching for best rate of climb, and began a shallow turn to the left in an effort to avoid power lines that he knew were in close proximity.

As he realized that the airplane was not able to sustain lift, the CFI configured the airplane for a soft field landing. With the airplane approaching an airport fence, the CFI touched down. The nose landing gear impacted a bush and the airplane nosed over.

Temperatures were obtained from MCAS Twentynine Palms, located 14 miles west-northwest from the Twentynine Palms Airport. At 1855, the temperature was 52 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 32 degrees Fahrenheit. At 2000, the temperature was 48 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures were applied to an industry Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, and both recorded temperatures were within the "serious icing at glide power" portion of the chart.

Aircraft

Registration
N50346
Reported as
Cessna 150H
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15069243
Airframe hours
5,800
Engine
Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Operator
Karl Hoyer
Registered owner
J.L Karr Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · October 1, 2002 · 24 hours before
Departed
TNP · Twentynine Palm, CA
Destination
TNP
Airport
TNP · Twentynine Palms Airport, runway 26, 5,531 × 75 ft, asphalt

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Flight instructor
Age
46
Injuries
None
Certificates
Airline transport, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
September 4, 2001
Seat
Right
Flight hours
2,383 total · 133 in this make and model · 2,271 as pilot in command · 143 in the last 90 days · 34 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Role
Student pilot
Injuries
None
Certificate
Student
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Wind
290° at 7 knots
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
52 °F, dew point 32 °F
Altimeter
30.13 inHg
Observed at
KNXP, 15 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.