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NTSB Identification: CHI97LA172. The docket is stored in the (offline) NTSB Imaging System.

Accident occurred Thursday, June 19, 1997 at YPSILANTI, MI

Aircraft: Cessna 150K, registration: N5738G

Injuries: 1 Uninjured



Event: 20001208X08085 Status: Final Report Approved On Friday, October 31, 1997



NTSB Preliminary Narrative (6120.19A)



On June 19, 1997, at 0820 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 150K, N5738G, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when

during approach to landing the airplane's engine began to run rough and then quit. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane in a parking lot.

During the landing roll, the airplane's left wing stuck some signs. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The

personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The cross country flight

originated at Kalamazoo, Michigan, at 0720 edt.



In his written statement, the pilot said that he was on final approach for runway 09L at Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan, at reduced power

when the engine began to run rough. The pilot "began to add power, but there was no response from the engine." The pilot said, [I] "began an

engine restart after the engine quit and I saw that I would be short of the runway. Restart was unsuccessful." The pilot selected "a landing site

in the north parking lot of the General Motors powertrain plant." During the landing, the airplane "hit a rut which threw the airplane to the left and

struck [two] signs." The airplane then rolled to a stop.



The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the site found the airplane sitting upright in the parking lot of

the General Motors facility. Two nearby signs were knocked over. The airplane's left wing leading edge, outboard of the strut, was bent

rearward, crushed aft, and exhibited several tears in the metal. The left wing main spar was bent aft. The left wing upper skin surface was

heavily wrinkled. The left aileron exhibited several tears in its metal skin. The left wing, inboard of the strut, and the left wing flap were

undamaged. No other damage to the airplane was observed. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Adequate fuel was observed in both

wing fuel tanks. Examination of the fuel showed no evidence of water in the fuel. The engine was restarted and ran smoothly. The magnetos

were checked and exhibited proper rpm drops. The carburetor heat knob was in the "off" position. No other anomalies were found with the

airplane.



According to Department of Transportation/FAA/CT-82/44 Publication: Light Aircraft Piston Engine Carburetor Ice Detector/Warning Device

Sensitivity/Effectiveness, June 1982, Carburetor Icing Probability Chart; the temperature (62-degrees Fahrenheit) and dew point (54-degrees

Fahrenheit) reported by the National Weather Service Station at White Lake, Michigan, for the Ypsilanti, Michigan area, at the time the airplane lost

power, places the probability for carburetor icing in the "serious icing at glide power" area of the chart.



NTSB Final Narrative (6120.4)



The pilot said that he was on final approach at reduced power when the engine began to run rough. He 'began to add power, but there was no

response from the engine. [I] began an engine restart after the engine quit and I saw that I would be short of the runway. [The] restart was

unsuccessful.' The pilot elected to land in a parking lot near the airport. During the landing, the airplane 'hit a rut which threw the airplane to the

left and struck [two] signs.' The airplane then rolled to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed that the carburetor heat knob was in the 'off'

position. No other anomalies were found. The temperature and dew point were 62 and 54 degrees, respectively. According to icing probability

charts, conditions were conducive for carburetor icing.



NTSB Probable Cause Narrative



the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor ice, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Factors relating to this

accident were: the icing (weather) condition and sign(s) in the emergency landing area.



Occurrences and Sequence of Events

Occurrence: 1, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER(PARTIAL) - NONMECHANICAL

Phase of Operation: APPROACH - VFR PATTERN - FINAL APPROACH



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 1

1 ( Factor ) WEATHER CONDITION / ICING CONDITIONS / (0)

2 ( Cause ) CARBURETOR HEAT / IMPROPER USE OF / PILOT IN COMMAND

3 ( Cause ) FUEL SYSTEM, CARBURETOR / ICE / (0)



Occurrence: 2, FORCED LANDING

Phase of Operation: DESCENT - EMERGENCY



Occurrence: 3, ON GROUND/WATER COLLISION WITH OBJECT

Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY LANDING



Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 3

1 ( Factor ) OBJECT / SIGN / (0)


 

 

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