# NTSB SEA85LA194: Cessna 150F, N8339G, Pocatello, ID, August 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1985, 21:28 local (Aug 11, 1985, 03:28 UTC)
- Place: Pocatello, ID
- Coordinates: 42.899955, -112.390357 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9000&lon=-112.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA194

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

UPON ARRIVAL IN THE VICINITY OF HIS DESTINATION THE PLT COMMENCED A REDUCED PWR DESCENT WHILE IN CONDITIONS WHICH WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICEING. DURING THE DESCENT THE PLT APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT WITH A RESULTANT DROP IN RPM AND, APPREHENSIVE OF THIS CONDITION, RETURNED THE CARBURETOR HEAT TO 'OFF'. A TOTAL PWR LOSS FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE PLT THEN MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO A FORCED LANDING IN AN AGRICULTURAL FLD UNDER CONDITIONS OF DARKNESS. DURING THE APCH THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE POST AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT CARBURETOR HEAT WAS ONLY NECESSARY DURING COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8339G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15062439
- Airframe hours: 34094
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Kirkham
- Registered owner: Recycle Contractors
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1984, 11 hours before
- Departed: BTF, BOUNTIFUL, UT
- Destination: PIH, POCATELLO, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 101 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIH, 3 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 19850810044749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850810044749A), Aug 10, 1985: Cessna 150F, Pocatello, ID, Substantial damage. Struck a fence and nosed over after engine quit during descent. Improper use of carburetor heat a factor.

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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