# NTSB SEA96LA028: Cessna 152, N5366M, Chimacum, WA, December 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 11, 1995, 19:00 local (Dec 12, 1995, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Chimacum, WA - Coordinates: 47.970218, -122.779693 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9702&lon=-122.7797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42316/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA028 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command's delayed application of carburetor heat which resulted in a power loss due to carburetor ice. Carburetor icing conditions, a short takeoff area, and a ditch at the end of the airstrip were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The flight was departing from a 1,200-foot long wet grass airstrip. Before takeoff, the pilot taxied along the strip several times to check field conditions. During taxi, the engine stopped once but then restarted. The pilot reported that he started his takeoff with carburetor heat off, and that the takeoff was normal until rotating into ground effect, at which point the engine lost 300 to 400 RPM. The pilot stated that he then cycled carburetor heat, but the engine then stopped completely. The pilot landed straight ahead but was unable to stop in the remaining available distance. The airplane struck a ditch at the end of the takeoff area and nosed over onto its back. A nearby weather observation facility was reporting temperature and dewpoint values which, according to a Transport Canada chart, presented a serious carburetor icing hazard at any power. ## Factual narrative On December 11, 1995, approximately 1900 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N5366M, operated by Galvin Flying Service of Seattle, Washington, a 14 CFR 141 flight training school certificate holder, experienced a loss of engine power on takeoff from a private airstrip near Chimacum, Washington. The pilot in command, a certificated flight instructor, landed the airplane straight ahead on the airstrip, but the airplane struck a ditch at the end of the strip and nosed over. The airplane was substantially damaged but neither the pilot nor a student pilot-rated passenger were injured. The pilot stated that visual meteorological conditions existed at the airstrip. The pilot filed, but did not activate, a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan for the 14 CFR 91 flight, which was to have proceeded to Boeing Field in Seattle. The pilot stated on his accident report that the takeoff area was a 1,200-foot-long wet grass surface. He stated that prior to the takeoff attempt, he taxied along the strip several times to check conditions. He stated that the engine stopped once while taxiing but then restarted. The pilot stated that the takeoff proceeded normally until the airplane became airborne in ground effect. He reported that at this point, the engine lost "at least" 300 to 400 RPM. He stated that he then cycled carburetor heat, at which point the engine stopped completely. He landed straight ahead but was unable to stop in the remaining distance. The airplane then struck the ditch and nosed over. In an initial telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge on the day after the accident, the pilot stated that he took off with carburetor heat off. The pilot reported on the initial telephone interview that the outside air temperature on the aircraft gauge read 40 degrees F. At 1846, Port Angeles, 30 nautical miles west of Chimacum, reported fog, calm winds, and temperature and dewpoint of 45 degrees F. A Transport Canada carburetor icing hazard chart used by the investigator indicated that at the temperature and dewpoint reported in the Port Angeles observation, there was a potential for "serious icing - any power." A test run of the accident aircraft's engine was conducted by Galvin Flying Service personnel under supervision of the NTSB and FAA at Boeing Field, Seattle, on December 20, 1995. The engine was successfully started and run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5366M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5366M), registered now, S/N 15284566, built 1980 (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: 15284566 - Airframe hours: 8210 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Galvin Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1995, 24 hours before - Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Spencer, runway 9, 1,200 × 30 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,100 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: calm - Visibility: 1 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CLM, 30 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 19951211047719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951211047719A), Dec 11, 1995: Cessna 152, Chimacum, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. CFI landed straight ahead on airstrip, struck a ditch end of runway. 1200FT runway. ## Other investigations on N5366M (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 SEA94LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA032), Nov 14, 1993: Cessna 152 (N5366M), Seattle, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO FLARE. HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION WAS 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. --- 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.