Cessna 150G N4760X accident near Cooperstown, New York

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power during a simulated engine-out demonstration due to carburetor icing.

NTSB analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that he was demonstrating to the student a simulated loss of engine power and landing to the airport. He began by reducing power then applying carburetor heat. He maneuvered the airplane in a descending right turn and cleared the engine (verifying full engine power was available) at least one time during the descent. He approached the runway and lowered 10 degrees of flaps while on a short base leg of the traffic pattern. The approach appeared normal to slightly high, and on short final (about 100 feet above touchdown zone elevation), the flight encountered a very strong and turbulent gust that necessitated immediate full power. He applied power and the engine hesitated or stumbled. He removed carburetor heat application and pushed forward on the throttle and mixture controls. Thereafter, he pumped the throttle control in an effort to restore engine power which was unsuccessful. He maneuvered the airplane to a clear space and landed in a wooded area. Inspection of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector following recovery of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. A surface observation weather report approximately 17 minutes before the accident, indicated the temperature and dew point were 18 and 13 degrees Celsius respectively, (64 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit). According to a FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35, dated June 30, 2009, the temperature and dew point were favorable for serious icing at glide power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA220 for the full record.