ORANGE SPRINGS, FL, USA
N60758
CESSNA 150J
THE PILOT REDUCED ENGINE POWER ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE LANDING APPROACH. WHEN ON BASE LEG HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE QUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN AN AREA OF HIGH VEGETATION SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND OPERATED TO FULL POWER WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT DID NOT REMEMBER WHEN HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE APPROACH. ACCORDING TO CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE POWER.
On December 6, 1995, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150J, N60758, registered to a private owner, crashed following loss of engine power at the 85th Avenue Airpark, Orange Springs, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Orange Springs, about 0845. The pilot stated he reduced engine power while abeam the arrival end of the runway on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. When he turned based leg he advanced the throttle to clear the engine. The engine quit. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The aircraft contacted the ground about 100 yards short of the runway and collided with small trees and brush. The pilot stated he does not remember when he applied carburetor heat during the approach to land. A mechanic found the carburetor heat on after the accident. Postcrash examination of the engine was performed by a mechanic. All fuel lines were unobstructed and contained uncontaminated fuel. The air inlet was unobstructed. The engine was started and operated to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction. The carburetor heat system operated normally. According to carburetor icing probability curves the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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