# NTSB NYC92LA065: Cessna 305A, N234BD, Plymouth, MA, February 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1992, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, MA
- Location: 41.9583° N, 70.6638° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plymouth, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9583&lon=-70.6638&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37130
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37130/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA065

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH RESULTED IN THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND FORCED LANDING IN TREES.

## 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
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE QUIT AS HE WAS MAKING A TURN AFTER TAKEOFF. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN TREES.  HE DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT BEFORE TAKEOFF BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAS A PRESSURE TYPE CARBURETOR AND SHOULD NOT GET CARBURETOR ICE.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES OF THE ENGINE.  WHEN THE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT (42 DEGREES F/41 DEGREES F) IS PLOTTED ON THE FAA CHART 'CONDITIONS FAVORING THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE', IT INDICATES CARBURETOR ICING IS LIKELY IN A PRESSURE TYPE CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N234BD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22548
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Santopietro
- Registered owner: Paul Santopietro
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1991
- Departed: PVD, WARWICK, RI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,100 total, 195 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 41 °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 19920223003399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920223003399A), Feb 23, 1992: Cessna 305A, Plymouth, MA, Substantial damage. Left engine quit on climbing turnout. Landed in trees. Failed use carb heat prior takeoff. Beleived not needed.

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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