# NTSB NYC90LA034: Cessna 152, N4930B, Dunkirk, NY, November 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1989, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Dunkirk, NY
- Coordinates: 42.469917, -79.329406 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4699&lon=-79.3294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA034

## Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMAND FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A FORCED LANDING RESULTING IN A STALL AND HARD LANDING AFTER A ENGINE POWER FAILURE DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE AND IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BY THE PILOT.

## 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
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CESSNA 152 DEPARTED ON A LOCAL TRAINING FLIGHT WITH A STUDENT PILOT AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ON BOARD. APPROACHING THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET A.G.L., A POWER LOSS OCCURRED. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED, POWER MOMENTARILY REGAINED AND THEN POWER WAS LOST AGAIN. A LEFT TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT WAS MADE, HOWEVER THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN AN AREA OF BRUSH AND RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT SAID THE TERRAIN AHEAD HAD BRUSH PILES AND A GRAPE VINEYARD WITH POLES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4930B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4930B), registered now, S/N 15283712 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283712
- Airframe hours: 3469
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dunkirk Aviation
- Registered owner: Dunkirk Aviation, Inc
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1989, 69 hours before
- Departed: DKK, DUNKIRK, NY
- Airport: DKK, Dunkirk, runway 2, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,893 total, 1,750 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °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 19891125047479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891125047479A), Nov 25, 1989: Cessna 152, Dunkirk, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Turned back but crashed into bushes short of runway. Conditions good for 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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