# NTSB WPR09LA205: Cessna 152, N48259, Carlsbad, CA, April 20, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 20, 2009, 16:34 local (23:34 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, CA - Coordinates: 33.128055, -117.279998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1281&lon=-117.2800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73692 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73692/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73692 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA205 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to carbon fouling of a spark plug. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: spark plugs/igniters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had been practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings for about an hour. On the accident takeoff, he noted a rough running engine. The airplane had already attained traffic pattern altitude, therefore the pilot continued the flight and declared an emergency on downwind. The pilot stated that he trimmed the airplane for best glide, and as he turned onto final approach, there was a further reduction in engine rpm and an increase in engine roughness. Unable to reach the runway, the airplane landed on its nose short of the runway threshold. Both the wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. An inspection of the engine revealed that the bottom spark plug of the number 2 cylinder was carbon fouled, which could have resulted in a partial loss of engine rpm and a rough running engine. No other mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine inspection. ## Factual narrative On April 20, 2009, at 1634 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N48259, experienced a partial loss of engine power while in the traffic pattern. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane short of the approach end of runway 24 at McClellan-Palomar Airport (CRQ), Carlsbad, California. Orion Aviation operated the airplane as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from CRQ about 1530. In the pilot’s written statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), he stated that he had been performing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings for about 1 hour. On the departure climb, the airplane reached an altitude of 800 feet. As the pilot initiated the crosswind turn, the engine began to run rough. As the airplane was already at established pattern altitude, the pilot continued the flight and contacted Palomar tower, declaring an emergency. Due to humid conditions the pilot thought the engine might be experiencing carburetor icing and activated the carburetor heat; however, he ascertained that was not the problem after there was no change in engine performance. Tower personnel cleared the flight to land on runway 6 or 24. At this point the flight was downwind for runway 24, and the pilot reported that he was committed to the landing. He observed a road on his flight path, but due to traffic congestion, he did not feel it was the best place to land; he also felt that a turn back to runway 6 was not possible. The pilot stated that the engine rpm was 2,100, and the airplane's altitude was 700 feet. He felt that he had enough power to make the runway, and that he was in control of the airplane. The flight was still on the downwind when the pilot trimmed the airplane for best glide, at which point there was a further drop in rpm to 1,700, with an increase in engine roughness. When he turned the airplane onto final, he believed there was a further drop of rpm. The pilot stated that he knew that he was not going to make the runway. The airplane landed on its nose short of the threshold for runway 24. The engine was inspected by Crownair Aviation, Carlsbad, under the auspice of the FAA. Maintenance personnel reported carbon fouling of the number 2 cylinder bottom spark plug, which they reported could have caused a loss of engine rpm and a rough running engine. There were no other defects noted with the engine inspection. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48259](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48259-2017-06-14), registration cancelled 2017-06-14, S/N 15283314, built 1979 (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: 15283314 - Airframe hours: 11902 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Orion Aviation - Registered owner: Patrick D. Williams - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Destination: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Airport: CRQ, McClellan-Palomar Airport, runway 24, 4,897 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 132 total, 118 in this make and model, 62 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CRQ ## 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 20090420009679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090420009679A), Apr 20, 2009: Cessna 152, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot had been doing pattern work (touch and go landings) for over an hour. On last takeoff initial climb and crosswind leg were uneventful. Aircraft was… ## Other investigations on N48259 (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 NYC90LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA086), Apr 18, 1990: Cessna 152 (N48259), New Castle, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT PILOT BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY A STUDENT PILOT. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73692. 906 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Inspection Report (item 2, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Inspection%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Airport Operation Report (item 3, .PDF, 522 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Operation%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Fire Dept Report Palomar Airport (item 4, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fire%20Dept%20Report%20Palomar%20Airport-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.