The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
https://registry.faa.gov/N48410
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Accident Number: CEN19LA232
Date & Time: 07/21/2019, 1241 CDT
Registration: N48410
Aircraft: Cessna 152
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On July 21, 2019, about 1241 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N48410, impacted terrain and fencing during a forced landing following an inflight loss of engine power near Fredericksburg, Texas. The private pilot and the pilot rated passenger were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its empennage and fuselage. The airplane was registered to Aeronautical LLC and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated about 1220 from the Gillespie County Airport (T82), near Fredericksburg, Texas, and was destined for the Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU), near Georgetown, Texas.
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to fly from GTU to T82 and return to GTU in the same day. The pilot was flying with a family member who was a flight instructor. They fueled at GTU just before the flight and flew to T82 without incident. The airplane was performing "well" during the flight. They had lunch at the diner on the field at T82.
Following lunch, they conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane, performed an engine run-up, and took off as "usual." Everything sounded "normal." The airplane was level at 3,500 ft where the pilot asked the pilot rated passenger to takeover the airplane controls so the pilot could conduct activities not associated with flying the airplane. Both pilots then heard the engine starting to run rough. They both concurred that the engine sounded rough, and it continued to sound rough; engine speed was also decreasing. They looked at the distance to GTU and considered the options in conducting the flight. The pilots "went" through the emergency checklist, evaluated the instruments, and decided to return to T82. The airplane subsequently lost additional engine power and altitude. They established the best glide airspeed for the airplane. They elected to land on a field that was bounded by a powerline. The terrain was soft. After touchdown, they applied full brakes. However, they were unable to stop the airplane before it impacted a barbed wire fence.
The airplane's emergency procedures, in part, stated:
ENGINE FAILURE DURING FLIGHT
1. Airspeed -- 60 KIAS [knots indicated airspeed].
2. Carburetor Heat -- ON.
3. Primer -- IN and LOCKED.
4. Fuel Shutoff Valve -- ON.
5. Mixture -- RICH.
6. Ignition Switch -- BOTH (or START if propeller is stopped).
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site and took pictures. He subsequently performed a test run of the engine at the site. The engine started and was operational "with no issues." The inspector also examined the carburetor's filter and it did not contain any debris. The inspector stated that the visible damage present to the tail section was substantial damage.
At 1255, the recorded weather at T82 was: Wing 190° at 9 kts gusting to 16 kts; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 32° C; dew point 17° C; altimeter 30.00 inches of mercury.
The recorded local temperature and dew point spread data near the time of the engine power loss was plotted on a carburetor icing chart. The charted data showed that the weather in the area was conducive to serious carburetor icing at descent power.
The pilot, in part, stated:
There were a few factors that helped this rough landing not be worse. My copilot is an experienced pilot and CFII and we had good communication and teamwork throughout our flight. The airplane has new tires that helped on the rough surface of the field. What surprised us was that the engine lost power so quickly.
The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, in part, states:
When conditions are conducive to carburetor icing during flight, periodic checks should be made to detect its presence. If detected, full carburetor heat should be applied immediately, and it should be left in the ON position until you are certain that all the ice has been removed. If ice is present, applying partial heat or leaving heat on for an insufficient time might aggravate the situation. In extreme cases of carburetor icing, even after the ice has been removed, full carburetor heat should be used to prevent further ice formation. A carburetor temperature gauge, if installed, is very useful in determining when to use carburetor heat.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 47, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/14/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/21/2019
Flight Time: 467.2 hours (Total, all aircraft), 185.1 hours (Total, this make and model)
Pilot-Rated Passenger Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: 73, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/05/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/31/2018
Flight Time: 7250 hours (Total, all aircraft), 850 hours (Total, this make and model), 7000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 50 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N48410
Model/Series: 152 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 15280907
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/21/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1670 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-235-L2C
Registered Owner: Aeronautical Llc
Rated Power: 125 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KT82, 1695 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1255 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 213°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots / 16 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 190°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Fredericksburg, TX (T82)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Georgetown, TX (GTU)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1220 CDT
Type of Airspace:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 30.335833, -98.839444 (est)
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Accident Number: CEN19LA232
Date & Time: 07/21/2019, 1230 CDT
Registration: N48410
Aircraft: Cessna 152
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On July 21, 2019, about 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N48410, impacted terrain and fencing during a forced landing following an inflight loss of engine power near Fredericksburg, Texas. The private pilot and the passengers were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its empennage and fuselage. The airplane was registered to Aeronautical LLC and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Gillespie County Airport (T82), near Fredericksburg, Texas, and was destined for the Georgetown Municipal Airport, near Georgetown, Texas.
According to initial information, the airplane had a loss of engine power after departing from T82 and the pilot subsequently troubleshot the loss of power. Engine power was not able to be restored and the pilot conducted a forced landing on a rough field and impacted a fence surrounding the field.
At 1255, the recorded weather at T82 was: Wing 190° at 9 kts gusting to 16 kts; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 32° C; dew point 17° C; altimeter 30.00 inches of mercury.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N48410
Model/Series: 152 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KT82, 1695 ft msl
Observation Time: 1255 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / 16 knots, 190°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Fredericksburg, TX (T82)
Destination: Georgetown, TX (GTU)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 30.335833, -98.839444 (est)
