# NTSB MKC89LA062: Cessna 152, N25909, Kansas City, MO, February 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1989, 14:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Kansas City, MO
- Location: 39.0997° N, 94.5786° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kansas City, MO, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0997&lon=-94.5786&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA062

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BY PILOT IN COMMAND.

## 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, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID WHILE IN NORMAL CRUISE CONFORMATION, THE ENGINE MISFIRED. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT AND THE ENGINE PERFORMED NORMALLY. HE REMOVED THE CARB HEAT AND IN ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES THE ENGINE LOST SUBSTANTIAL POWER. CARB HEAT WAS THEN APPLIED WHICH RESULTED IN A GAIN IN POWER, BUT NOT TO NORMAL SPECIFICATIONS. THE PLT MADE A DECISION TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LDG ON THE ONLY AVAILABLE SPACE. HE REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE, APPLIED FULL FLAPS AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A FIELD. HE FELT THE ENGINE HAD CLEARED ENOUGH FOR A POSSIBILITY FOR CONTINUATION OF THE FLIGHT BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE LANDING. THE ACFT LANDED ON A FIELD, RAN ONTO A ROAD AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE WITH THE RIGHT WING. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARB ICE ACCORDING TO THE 'CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS.' THE TEMP WAS 26 DEG F AND DEWPOINT WAS 3 DEGS F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N25909 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280851
- Airframe hours: 4315
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Liberty Aviation
- Registered owner: Flying C. Leasing Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 1989, 62 hours before
- Departed: LWC, LAWRENCE, KS
- Destination: MO10, LIBERTY, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,196 total, 154 in this make and model, 1,160 as pilot in command, 252 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 6 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 19890223002449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890223002449A), Feb 23, 1989: Cessna 152, Kansas City, MO, Substantial damage. Lost partial power. Elected to land in a field. Ran onto a road and hit a pole. Carburetor ice.

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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