# NTSB NYC99LA058: Cessna 152, N89097, Duanesburg, NY, February 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 12, 1999, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Duanesburg, NY - Coordinates: 42.760562, -74.130783 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7606&lon=-74.1308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45834 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45834/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA058 ## Probable cause The instructor pilot's improper use of carburetor heat which resulted in carburetor ice, and a loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the instructor pilot's failure to initiate the simulated engine failure from a point where a successful forced landing could be completed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, descent - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The instructor and student preflighted the airplane, completed the engine run-up checks, and departed. Then, in the vicinity of a local airport, at 2,500 feet msl, the instructor initiated the first of two simulated engine failures. The student maneuvered the airplane and executed a touched-and-go. Then, while on downwind, and at 2,000 feet msl, the instructor initiated the second simulated engine failure. The student insured the carburetor heat was on, simulated checking the throttle, and began maneuvering for the runway. At 400 feet agl, the instructor realized they would not make the runway. He advised the student, and advanced the throttle, but the engine did not respond. He was able to insure that the throttle and fuel selector were properly set before the airplane stuck a tree, stalled, and impacted the ground. There was no evidence of a pre impact failure that would have caused a loss of power. Weather conditions were conducive for serious icing with cruise or climb power, and the FAA recommended, ' that carburetor heat be applied before reducing power and that partial power be used during letdown to prevent icing....' ## Factual narrative On February 12, 1999, at 0930, eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N89097, was substantially damage during a forced landing near the Duanesburg Airport, Duanesburg, New York. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight that originated from Albany, New York, for the purpose of conducting training in the Duanesburg, New York, area. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The instructor stated that he and the student preflighted the airplane, completed the engine run-up checks, and then departed Albany about 0900, to conduct emergency procedures training in the local area. While in the vicinity of Duanesburg, at 2,500 feet msl, the instructor initiated the first of two simulated engine failures. The student maneuvered the airplane and executed a touched-and-go on runway 28 at Duanesburg. Then, while on downwind for runway 28, at 2,000 feet msl, the instructor initiated the second simulated engine failure. The student insured the carburetor heat was on, simulated checking the throttle, and began maneuvering for the runway. When the airplane was about 400 feet agl, the instructor realized they would not make the runway. He advised the student, and advanced the throttle, but the engine did not respond. The instructor was only able to insure that the throttle and fuel selector were properly set before the airplane stuck a tree, stalled, and impacted the ground. After the airplane came to rest, both the instructor and student exited the airplane under their own power. Once outside the airplane, the instructor noticed fuel spilling from the engine area so he re entered the airplane and placed the fuel selector in the off position. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector stated that he removed the top sparkplugs, placed fuel in the cylinders, replaced the sparkplugs then attempted to started the engine. The engine started and the propeller rotated approximately 10 times. In addition, the inspector dissembled the carburetor and saw no signs of malfunction. He also found no anomalies with either the airframe or the engine that would have caused a loss of power. According to the FAA publication, "Tips On Winter Flying," the accident weather conditions were conducive for serious icing with cruise or climb power. In addition, the publication stated that, "It is recommended that carburetor heat be applied before reducing power and that partial power be used during letdown to prevent icing and overcooling the engine." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89097](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89097-2003-09-24), registration cancelled 2003-09-24, S/N 15282629, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15282629 - Airframe hours: 8001 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Townsend - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 17, 1998, 91 hours before - Departed: 4B1, DUANESBURG, NY - Airport: 4B1, Duanesburg Airport, runway 28, 2,600 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 5,300 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 16 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ALB, 17 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 19990212001459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990212001459A), Feb 12, 1999: Cessna 152, Duanesburg, NY, Substantial damage. Acft crashed at the approach end of rwy 28 while involved in emergency landing practice. Other circumstances are unknown. (From .4) the instructor and student… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.