# NTSB NYC91LA146: Cessna 120, N2858N, Delaware, OH, June 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1991, 20:00 local (Jun 2, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Delaware, OH
- Coordinates: 40.290531, -83.080856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2905&lon=-83.0809&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 March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA146

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AFTER A TOUCH AND GO LANDING, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT PULLED CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE ENGINE POWER RESUMED MOMENTARILY, THEN POWER WAS LOST AGAIN. HE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN TREES. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 85 DEGREES F AND DEW POINT 69 DEGREES F. THIS TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT COMBINATION WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2858N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2858N-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 13119, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13119
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David H. Birch
- Registered owner: David H. Birch
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: DL2, Delaware, runway 28, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 750 total, 500 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °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 19910601018579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910601018579A), Jun 1, 1991: Cessna 120, Delaware, OH, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Went between two trees on forced landing. Engine ok. Carburetor icing conditions existed.

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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