# NTSB LAX90LA054: Piper PA-18-150, N4101E, Bumble Bee, AZ, December 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1989, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Bumble Bee, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.620494, -112.420944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6205&lon=-112.4209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26707/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA054

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT IN A TIMELY MANNER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND THE DESERT TERRAIN.

## 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
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AT 9,500 FT MSL. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. TEMP/DEW POINT WAS 61/31.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4101E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4101E-2006-05-24), registration cancelled 2006-05-24, S/N 18-7809068, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7809068
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chandler Air Service, Inc.
- Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ
- Destination: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 54 total, 38 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891219051929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891219051929A), Dec 19, 1989: Piper PA18150, Bumble Bee, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Tried to land on a road,overshot,struck bushes and nosed over. Conditions for carburetor ice.

## Other investigations on N4101E (5)

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 LAX05CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA121), Mar 22, 2005: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB LAX98LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA174), May 23, 1998: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Sedona, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. A factor was the gusty wind.
- [NTSB LAX97LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA090), Jan 15, 1997: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. The student's diverted attention was a related factor.
- [NTSB LAX88LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA027), Oct 28, 1987: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Casa Grande, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX87LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA041), Nov 17, 1986: Piper PA-18-150 (N4101E), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage

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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