# NTSB NYC95LA053: Cessna 152, N89712, Colts Neck, NJ, February 14, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1995, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Colts Neck, NJ
- Location: 40.2876° N, 74.1724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colts Neck, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2876&lon=-74.1724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA053

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor relating to this accident was the unsuitable terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- Nose over, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane was in level flight at 1,500 ft msl with the crew intending to conduct ground reference maneuvers. The instructor noticed a loss of power and verified the student did not inadvertently reduce the power. The instructor used emergency procedures but the engine continued to lose power. He made a forced landing in a field during which the airplane crossed a ditch and nosed over. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On February 14, 1995 about 1215 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N89712, operated by Gibson Air Academy Inc. and piloted by John Impaglia was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a field in Colts Neck, New Jersey.  The instructor and student pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The instructor stated, they departed Allaire, New Jersey on a local flight.  After practicing some maneuvers, they descended to 1500 feet mean sea level (msl).  They leveled at 1500 feet msl,  with the intent to conduct ground reference maneuvers and the flight instructor noticed a loss of power. The instructor verified that the student did not inadvertently reduce the power.  The instructor used emergency procedures but the engine continued to lose power.  The instructor executed a forced landing on a field. During the landing the airplane crossed a ditch and nosed over.

The post accident engine inspection was performed by Leonard Boyd, Chief Inspector at Monmouth Aircraft Service, Inc., the company that provided maintenance for this airplane on a regular basis.  According to Leonard Boyd, no anomalies were found other than the float valve in the carburetor was sticky, and was undetermined if it was from impact damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89712](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89712-1997-05-09), registration cancelled 1997-05-09, S/N 15282836 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282836
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gibson Air Academy Inc.
- Registered owner: Gibson Air Academy Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1994, 35 hours before
- Departed: BLM, ALLAIRE, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 839 total, 429 in this make and model, 785 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point -0 °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 19950214001789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950214001789A), Feb 14, 1995: Cessna 152, Colts Neck, NJ, Substantial damage. Lost power during ground ref maneuvers. Nosed over landing. Float valve in carburetor sticky. Possible cause.

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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