# NTSB LAX92LA115: Cessna 150, N8580J, Sacramento, CA, February 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1992, 14:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.509105, -121.490722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5091&lon=-121.4907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27556/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA115

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE CFI TO PROPERLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE:  1) WEATHER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING AND 2) THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN TO COMPLETE THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - touch-and-go - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT STATED THAT HE AND HIS STUDENT HAD DEPARTED ON A VFR CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING FLIGHT. WHILE ENROUTE TO THEIR DESTINATION HE INITIATED A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE NEAR AN ENROUTE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT. HE STATED THE WINDS WERE VARIABLE AND ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 8 KNOTS FROM THE NORTHWEST. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT THE STUDENT WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE UNTIL HE TOOK OVER TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE INSTRUCTOR EXTENDED 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND COMPLETED THE TOUCH AND GO LANDING. HE SAID AFTER APPLYING FULL POWER HE PUSHED THE CARBURETOR HEAT OFF AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS. AT ABOUT 50/60 FEET HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT ENTERED A FORCED LANDING WITH PARTIAL ENGINE POWER.  THE AIRPLANE OVERSHOT THE 3240 FEET LONG RUNWAY TO THE LEFT SIDE AND DURING LANDING ROLL, COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. ACCORDING TO A STANDARD CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART, THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE LOCATED IN THE MODERATE ICING-CRUISE POWER OR SERIOUS ICING-GLIDE POWER AREA OF THE CHART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8580J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8580J-2023-05-02), registration cancelled 2023-05-02, S/N 15066480 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066480
- Airframe hours: 4474
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sacramento Exec Heli Inc
- Registered owner: Sacramento Exec Heli Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 16, 1991, 60 hours before
- Destination: Q53, WALNUT GROVE, CA
- Airport: Q53, Franklin, runway 36, 3,240 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,900 total, 511 in this make and model, 1,771 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920211002639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920211002639A), Feb 11, 1992: Cessna 150G, Franklin, CA, Substantial damage. Landed downwind on sfl then began go around. Drifted off runway. Lost power. Hit fence. Carburetor icing prevalent.

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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