Cessna 150 N9230U accident near Littleton, Massachusetts

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during descent for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot was conducting a solo cross-country flight and filled the airplane's fuel tanks before departing on the first leg of the flight. While descending from 4,500 ft mean sea level approaching the destination airport, engine power decreased from 2,500 to 1,300 rpm. The student advanced the mixture to full rich and applied carburetor heat; however, there was no change in engine performance. Soon after, the engine experienced a total loss of power and the student performed a forced landing to a field.

About 10 gallons of fuel were drained from the airplane during recovery. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunction or abnormalities. A review of a carburetor icing chart revealed that the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to icing at glide and cruise power; however, since engine performance did not improve after the application of carburetor heat, it is unlikely that the loss of engine power was the result of carburetor ice.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA16LA300 for the full record.