# NTSB NYC90LA055: Cessna 150M, N66787, Schuyler, NY, January 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1990, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Schuyler, NY
- Coordinates: 44.550136, -73.750053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5501&lon=-73.7501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36601
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36601/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA055

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE ON A DUAL TRAINING FLIGHT PRACTICING SLOW FLIGHT. WHEN THEY RETURNED TO NORMAL CRUISE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER. ADDITION OF CARBURETOR HEAT DID NOT CLEAR UP THE PROBLEM. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SET FOR A FORCED LANDING. AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET A.G.L., THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL POWER AND THE CFI DECIDED TO ABORT THE LANDING AND BEGAN RAISING THE FLAPS. THE ENGINE QUITE AGAIN AND THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND AND NOSED OVER. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 25 DEG AND THE DEW POINT 17, WHICH FALLS WITHIN THE 'ICING GLIDE AND CRUISE POWER RANGE OF A CARB ICING PROBABILITY CHART. THE A/C AND ENGINE WERE EXAMINED BY FAA A/W INSPECTORS. NO DESCREPANCIES WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66787](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66787-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 15076280, built 1974 (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: 15076280
- Airframe hours: 2597
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Galaxy Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bob Morse, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 1, 1989, 42 hours before
- Departed: 4B2, MARCY, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,623 total, 1,204 in this make and model, 2,495 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UCA, 12 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 19900120000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900120000879A), Jan 20, 1990: Cessna 150M, Schuyler, NY, Destroyed. Lost power. Stalled landing off airport. Flipped over. Pilots misuse carb heat in conditions for 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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