# NTSB MIA94LA108: Cessna 170, N2509V, Olive Branch, MS, March 29, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 29, 1994, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Olive Branch, MS - Coordinates: 34.950614, -89.820617 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9506&lon=-89.8206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37518 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37518/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA108 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT BEFORE REDUCING ENGINE POWER TO DESCEND RESULTING IN THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND THE CARBURETOR ICING WEATHER CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis BEFORE DESCENDING THE PILOT REDUCED THE THROTTLE BUT DID NOT APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT. AFTER THE DESCENT THE PILOT APPLIED THROTTLE INPUT BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN A FIELD THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND A FENCE. THE FAA EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AND REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK AND ENGINE STRAINER CONTAINED A SMALL QUANTITY OF WATER. THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK WAS IMPACT DAMAGED. ACCORDING TO AN ICING PROBABILITY CHART CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR VISIBLE ICING AT RATED POWER WITH A FLOAT TYPE CARBURETOR INSTALLED. ## Factual narrative On March 29, 1994, about 1545 central standard time, a Cessna 170, registered to C.P.T., Inc, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a field about 5 miles east of the Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from the Olive Branch Airport about 1400. The pilot stated that the flight was about 5 miles from the airport returning to land and before descending, he reduced the power only. After descending, he applied throttle to increase engine power but the engine did not respond. He attempted a forced landing in a field, and during the landing roll the airplane collided with trees and a fence. Examination of the airplane by an FAA airworthiness inspector the following day revealed that the left wing fuel tank was damaged. The right wing fuel tank and gascolator which were not damaged were checked for fuel contamination; about 1/2 ounce of water was present in both. The fuel selector was in the "both" position and had not been moved from that position after engine start before departure. According to an icing probability chart, conditions were favorable for visible icing at rated power with a float type carburetor installed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2509V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2509V), registered now, S/N 18012, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18012 - Airframe hours: 3183 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: C.P.T., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1993, 8 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,100 total, 60 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 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 19940329008349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940329008349A), Mar 29, 1994: Cessna 170, Olive Branch, MS, Substantial damage. On approach to olv added power to level off. Engine failed respond. Struck trees landing. Carb ice. Water in fuel. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.