# NTSB NYC89LA218: Cessna 305A, N5209G, Chalfont, PA, July 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1989, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Chalfont, PA
- Coordinates: 40.280952, -75.199333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2810&lon=-75.1993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA218

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND ROUGH/UNEVEN TERAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD WHERE IT NOSED OVER. AN ENGINE CHECK WAS MADE AND NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. THE PHILADELPHIA TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 72 DEGREES AND 59 DEGREES, RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5209G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5209G), registered now, S/N 21811, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21811
- Airframe hours: 8253
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11B 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph E. Hefferman, Jr.
- Registered owner: Broad Axe Equipment Co.
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1988, 17 hours before
- Airport: Moyer, runway 13, 2,800 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 750 total, 90 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890730025969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890730025969A), Jul 30, 1989: Cessna 305A, Chalfont, PA, Substantial damage. Reported engine failed on climbout. Nosed over on forced landing in soybeans. Unable to determine cause.

## Other investigations on N5209G (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC76F0R04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76F0R04), Jul 7, 1975: Cessna 305A (N5209G), Elysian, MN, substantial damage

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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