# NTSB SEA92LA037: Cessna 150L, N11632, Tacoma, WA, January 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1992, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Tacoma, WA
- Location: 47.2529° N, 122.4443° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tacoma, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2529&lon=-122.4443&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA037

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF REMEDIAL ACTION WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED CARBURETOR ICING.  FACTORS INCLUDE CARBURETOR ICE AND CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE ON A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT AFTER TWO CYLINDERS HAD BEEN REPLACED ON THE CESSNA 150L ENGINE, THE PILOT NOTED A SLIGHT DROP IN RPM. HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, THEN RETURNED IT TO THE COLD POSITION AFTER CONCLUDING THAT THE NORMAL POWER LOSS WAS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY A RISE IN POWER.  WHEN THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER, HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING, AND CHANGED FIELDS AT THE LAST MOMENT, TO AVOID HITTING CATTLE. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AFTER LANDING IN THE SOFT FIELD, AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND DURING AN ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11632](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11632-1992-04-27), registration cancelled 1992-04-27, S/N 15075585 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075585
- Airframe hours: 8000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ft. Lewis Army Flying Activity
- Registered owner: Ft. Lewis Army Flying Activity
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: GRF, FORT LEWIS, WA
- Flight plan: Military VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 901 total, 8 in this make and model, 813 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRF, 7 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 19920113000489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920113000489A), Jan 13, 1992: Cessna 150L, Tacoma, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on test flight after replacing two cylinders. Nosed over landing in soft field. No defects found.

## Other investigations on N11632 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA75DYE10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75DYE10), Aug 12, 1974: Cessna 150 (N11632), Fort Lewis, WA, no damage

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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