# NTSB LAX92LA080: Cessna 150L, N10828, Fresno, CA, January 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1992, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.749942, -119.669586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7499&lon=-119.6696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA080

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER MAJOR REPAIR OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BY UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS THAT RESULTED THE FAILURE OF THE AIR INTAKE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - single engine aircraft
  - carburetor heat control,torque box - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A TOUCH AND GO LANDING THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A EMERGENCY DESCENT AND COLLIDED WITH SOME ELECTRICAL WIRES BEFORE CRASHING ONTO A STREET OFF THE AIRPORT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR AIR INTAKE HOUSING AFTER THE ACCIDENT DISCLOSED THAT THE VALVE PLATE HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BY UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS AND HAD BROKEN FROM THE VALVE PLATE CONTROL SHAFT. THE LOOSE PLATE IN THE AIR INTAKE HOUSING WOULD HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF REDUCING COLD AIR TO THE CARBURETOR AND THUS REDUCING POWER FROM THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10828](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10828-2014-09-08), registration cancelled 2014-09-08, S/N 15075068, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075068
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wingate, Terry
- Registered owner: Wingate, Terry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920104000159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920104000159A), Jan 4, 1992: Cessna 150L, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost partial power on climbout. Full flaps and slow. Hit wires returning. Carb air intake valve plate broken.

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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