# NTSB MIA96LA097: Cessna 150M, N704XQ, Ormond Beach, FL, March 9, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1996, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Ormond Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 29.279823, -81.06044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2798&lon=-81.0604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37992/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA097

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot-in-command to apply caburetor heat before reducing the throttle to simulate an engine failure.  Contributing to the accident was the carburetor icing conditions and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the emergency descent.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The CFI stated that while in the traffic pattern he reduced the throttle to idle to simulate loss of engine power, but he did not apply carburetor heat.  The student hesitated in performing the emergency procedures, then applied carburetor heat 20-30 seconds later.  The CFI aborted the simulation and added power but the engine failed to respond. He made a forced landing on a golf course and the airplane collided with a tree.  The engine was subsequently started, but was not operated to full rated RPM due to damaged engine mounts.  A review of the carburetor ice probability chart revealed that serious carburetor icing conditions were probable at descent power about the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

On March 9, 1996, about 0905 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150M, N704XQ, registered to Ormond Beach Aviation, crashed while attempting a go-around at the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, Ormond Beach, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot/flight instructor and student pilot were not injured.  The flight had originated from the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport about 0845 that same day.

The  flight instructor stated that while on downwind leg abeam the numbers about 1,000 feet msl, he reduced the throttle to idle to simulate an engine failure, but he did not apply carburetor heat.  The student hesitated, then applied carburetor heat 20 to 30 seconds later.  While on base leg 1/4 mile from the runway at 500 feet, the flight instructor aborted the simulation. He applied throttle but the engine did not respond.  He then shut off carburetor heat and realizing that he would be unable to land on the runway, he decided to make a forced landing on a golf course.  While descending the left wing hit a tree, the airplane rolled left, cartwheeled, and came to rest with the empennage elevated resting against a tree.

The airplane was recovered and with the engine still attached to the airframe, the engine was started.  It was not run to a specific rpm or to full-rated rpm due to damaged engine mounts.

A review of the Carburetor Ice Probability Chart revealed that conditions were probable for serious icing at descent power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704XQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704XQ-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 15078959, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078959
- Airframe hours: 6400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ormond Beach Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1996, 76 hours before
- Departed: OMN, FL
- Airport: OMN, Ormond Beach Municipal, runway 35, 3,701 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,861 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,720 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 8 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 19960309003819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960309003819A), Mar 9, 1996: Cessna 150M, Ormond Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Simulated engine out by closing throttle on downwind. No carb heat. On base. Tried go around. No power. Carb icing.

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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