# NTSB NYC92LA032: Cessna 150, N50877, Poestenskill, NY, November 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1991, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Poestenskill, NY
- Coordinates: 42.689144, -73.560935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6891&lon=-73.5609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA032

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURATOR HEAT, RESULTING IN CARBURATOR ICE AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE LOST POWER IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.  HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE FAA INSPECTOR WAS ABLE TO START AND RUN THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT.  THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 46 DEGREES F AND THE DEW POINT WAS 29 DEGREES F.  ACCORDING TO THE FAA CHART, THIS TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT COMBINATION MEETS THE CONDITIONS FAVORING FORMATION OF CARBURATOR ICING. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 128 HOURS WITH 11 HOURS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50877](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50877-1993-07-19), registration cancelled 1993-07-19, S/N 15069616 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069616
- Airframe hours: 2079
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Span Flying Service
- Registered owner: Louis J. Picarazzi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 1991, 11 hours before
- Airport: 5B7, Rensselaer, runway 36, 2,675 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 128 total, 11 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 3.4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 22 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19911116051949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911116051949A), Nov 16, 1991: Cessna 150J, Troy, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final. Unable for runway. Hit embankment landing. Fuel found off. Conditions good 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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