# NTSB NYC92LA071: Cessna 140, N3047N, Palmer, MA, March 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1992, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, MA
- Location: 42.1584° N, 72.3287° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palmer, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1584&lon=-72.3287&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37136
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37136/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA071

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO BE AWARE OF THE TEMPERATURE/DEWPOINT SPREAD.

## 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 - final approach
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH AND THE PILOT ADDED POWER BECAUSE HE SAW HE WOULD BE LANDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THERE WAS NO ENGINE RESPONSE TO THE THROTTLE MOVEMENT AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED 500 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN A MUDDY AREA AND FLIPPED OVER.  THE ENGINE WAS RUN ON THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED.  THE TEMPERATURE AND DEWPOINT 20 MILES TO THE EAST WAS RECORDD AS 43 F AND 32 F. ACCORDING TO THE FAA CARBURETOR ICING CHART, THE RECORDED TEMPERATURE AND DEWPOINT WAS CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING.  WHEN INTERVIEWED THE PILOT SAID HE USED CARBURETOR HEAT ON APPROACH; HOWEVER, HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE TEMPERATURE/DEWPOINT SPREAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3047N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3047N), registered now, S/N 13305, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13305
- Airframe hours: 3884
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Robert E. Martin, Jr.
- Registered owner: Donald Bradley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1988, 3 hours before
- Departed: MMK, MERIDEN, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 860 total, 80 in this make and model, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORH, 20 nm away

## 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 19920331007859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920331007859A), Mar 31, 1992: Cessna 140, Palmer, MA, Substantial damage. On ferry flight engine failed respond on final. Landed short. Nosed over. No engine or fuel problems. Carb icing.

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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