SIKESTON, MO, USA
N6689G
CESSNA 150L
The pilot said he reduced power opposite the approach end of the runway. After retarding the throttle, he applied carburetor heat. The pilot said he made a shallow banked turn onto base leg after the airplane had decelerated from 90 to 70 KIAS. The airplane's propeller stopped rotating as the pilot made a shallow banked turn onto final approach. The pilot made a forced landing about 2,000 feet short of the runway. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and was damaged. The pilot said that he normally flew an airplane with a fuel injected engine that did not have carburetor heat. During a discussion with the IIC, the pilot said the engine may have stopped because of carburetor ice. He said he could not recall how much time had elapsed between the time he reduced power and applied carburetor heat. The before landing checklist in the pilot operating handbook stated: 'Mixture--Rich, Carburetor Heat-- Apply full heat before closing throttle.' About 20 miles north-northeast at Cape Girardeau, Mo, the temperature and dew point were 56 and 23 degrees, respectively. An icing probibility chart showed that the potential for carburetor icing existed during gliding or cruise flight.
On April 9, 1996, at 1700 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 150, N6689G, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of power. The pilot reported the engine lost its power shortly after he had turned the airplane onto a base leg for runway 02 at the Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport, Sikeston, Missouri. The airplane landed about 2,000 feet short of the runway's threshold. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Sikeston, Missouri, at 1655 cdt. The pilot's written statement said he "...pulled the throttle..." opposite runway 02's approach end while on downwind at 90 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). He said he then applied carburetor heat. After slowing to 70 KIAS, the pilot said he made a shallow banked turn to base leg. The pilot said while N6689G was on base leg its engine sounded as though it was decelerating. He said he confirmed that carburetor heat had been applied. According to the pilot, he made a shallow banked turn toward final approach. During this turn N6689G's propeller stopped rotating. The pilot said he chose a field to land in rather than a busy street. As he approached the ground, the pilot said he slowed the airplane up so it would land before a ditch that was in front of him. The pilot said "...the airplane quit flying..." when it was between 10 and 15 feet above the ground. The airplane made a hard landing and nosed over during its landing roll according to the pilot. During an interview with the pilot it was revealed that he had not flown the Cessna 150 for almost a year. He said he usually flies an airplane with a fuel injected engine that does not have carburetor heat. He said the final approach glide path N6689G was on looked like it was going to take the airplane into a ditch. He said he slowed the airplane down so it would descend and land before the ditch. The pilot was asked if he flew the airplane too far on downwind after reducing power before turning base leg. He said he did now that he though about it. The before landing checklist for N6689G states: "Mixture--Rich, Carburetor Heat-- Apply full heat before closing throttle." The reported temperature/dew point for the airport located at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was 56 and 23 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. According to the FAA's Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, the temperature and dew point were adequate to create light carburetor icing during cruise or gliding flight. A copy of the chart is appended to this report. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Principal Operations Inspector (POI) representing the NTSB on-scene, the airplane landed about 2,000 feet short of runway 02. The POI said the airplane nosed over after colliding with the ground. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine or airframe that would have prevented normal operation.
The pilot's delay in applying carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor icing and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: carburetor icing (weather) conditions, and the pilot's lack of recent experience in the make and model of airplane.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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