# NTSB NYC91LA016: Cessna 152, N36944, West Nyack, NY, October 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1990, 16:28 local (20:28 UTC)
- Place: West Nyack, NY
- Location: 41.0911° N, 73.9688° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Nyack, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0911&lon=-73.9688&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36830
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36830/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA016

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING AND COLLISION WITH A FENCE. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WEATHER CONDITIONS SUITABLE TO FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTING SURFACE VEHICLE TRAFFIC, WHEN ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH...DECLARED AN EMERGENCY...LANDED IN AN ABANDONED DRIVE IN...HIT A CYCLONE FENCE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE'. THE LOCAL WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT REPORTED A TEMPERATURE OF 64 DEGREES F AND A DEW POINT OF 60 DEGREES F. WHEN THESE FIGURES ARE PLOTTED ON A GRAPH WHICH DEPICTS THE PROBABILITY OF ENCOUNTERING CARBURETOR ICING, IT SHOWS A PROBABILITY OF 'SERIOUS ICING AT CRUISE POWER'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N36944 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282108
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Mac Dan Aviation Corp.
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 650 total, 150 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Observed at: HPN, 9 nm away

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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