Home Documents Images Message Board
(Use your browser's back button to return to the page that you were previously viewing.)

 

 


NTSB Identification: ATL99LA056. The docket is stored in the (offline) NTSB Imaging System.

Accident occurred Friday, March 19, 1999 at BUNN LEVEL, NC

Aircraft: Cessna 152, registration: N46542

Injuries: 2 Minor



Event: 20001205X00260 Status: Final Report Approved On Thursday, June 22, 2000



NTSB Preliminary Narrative (6120.19A)



On March 20, 1999, at 2328 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N46542, collided with trees while performing a forced landing near Bunn

Level, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual

meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the pleasure flight. The private pilot and passenger

received minor injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The airplane departed Florence Regional Airport in Florence, South

Carolina, at 2215, destined for Dillon County Airport, in Dillon, South Carolina.



According to the pilot, before departing, the airplane's battery was discharged and required an external power source for the engine start. The

pilot stated that after startup, the instrument lights did not work, so he used his flashlight to illuminate the instrument panel. During the preflight

engine run-up, no abnormalities were noted by the pilot. Approximately one hour into the flight, the pilot's flashlight failed followed by loss of

vacuum pressure and a subsequent loss of the vacuum-driven instruments. Moments later, while at 3,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot stated

that all electrical power was lost followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but stated that the engine

"failed to turn over." The pilot made a forced landing in a wooded area and collided with several trees.



During the subsequent examination of the engine, the alternator, vacuum pump, carburetor, and magnetos that were on the airplane at the time of

the accident were tested. The engine assembly was found to function normally through all ranges of power settings (see attached report of

engine examination). No obvious source for the loss of electrical power was determined during the wreckage examination.



A review of current weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.



NTSB Final Narrative (6120.4)



The pilot reported that the engine could not be started during the departure preparations. The battery was changed and the engine started.

According to the pilot, after engine start, the instrument lights did not illuminate. He elected to continue the night cross country flight.

Approximately one hour into the flight, the pilot's flashlight failed followed by loss of vacuum pressure and a subsequent loss of the

vacuum-driven instruments. Moments later, while at 3,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot stated that all electrical power was lost followed by a

total loss of engine power. The pilot made a forced landing in a wooded area and collided with several trees. Following the accident, the engine,

alternator, vacuum pump, carburetor, and magnetos that were on the airplane at the time of the accident were tested and found to function

normally through all ranges of power settings.



NTSB Probable Cause Narrative



The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were an electrical system malfunction for undetermined reasons and the dark night

conditions.



Occurrences and Sequence of Events

Occurrence: 1, AIRFRAME/COMPONENT/SYSTEM FAILURE/MALFUNCTION

Phase of Operation: CRUISE



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 1

1 ( Factor ) ELECTRICAL SYSTEM / FAILURE,TOTAL / (0)

2 (Finding) REASON FOR OCCURRENCE UNDETERMINED / /



Occurrence: 2, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER

Phase of Operation: CRUISE



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 2

1 ( Cause ) REASON FOR OCCURRENCE UNDETERMINED / /



Occurrence: 3, FORCED LANDING

Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY DESCENT/LANDING



Occurrence: 4, IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECT

Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY DESCENT/LANDING



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 4

1 (Finding) OBJECT / TREE(S) / (0)

2 (Finding) LIGHT CONDITION / DARK NIGHT / (0)


 

 

Home Documents Images Message Board
(Use your browser's back button to return to the page that you were previously viewing.)