# NTSB NYC90LA161: Aeronca 7BCM, N2089A, Doylestown, PA, July 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1990, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Doylestown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.309211, -75.120025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3092&lon=-75.1200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36690
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36690/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA161

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO AN INOPERABLE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL. LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat control - inoperative (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BEGAN LOSING ENGINE POWER WHILE RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AFTER A 35-40 MINUTE PLEASURE FLIGHT AND WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE THE REMAINING TWO MILES FOR LANDING. HE STALLED THE AIRPLANE INTO TREES. THE AIRPLANE DROPPED ABOUT 50 FEET, STOPPING 20-25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION. THE CARBURETOR HEAT CABLE WAS FOUND PULLED OUT AND THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX VALVE WAS FROZEN IN THE COLD POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2089A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2089A-1999-04-14), registration cancelled 1999-04-14, S/N 7BCM-144 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7BCM 144
- Airframe hours: 2073
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward Cole
- Registered owner: Joseph R Halpin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1989, 4 hours before
- Departed: 8N9, WARRINGTON, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 304 total, 40 in this make and model, 304 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19900715025709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900715025709A), Jul 15, 1990: Bbavia 7BCM, Doylestown, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach. Applied carburetor heat. Stalled into trees. Carburter heat cable broken.

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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