Cessna 152 N68218 accident near Madisonville, Tennessee

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

During descent, after a short local flight, the engine lost partial power. The pilot advanced the throttle and turned on the carburetor heat; however, power was not restored to the engine. He performed a forced landing to a wet, grassy field. The main landing gear wheels locked up and the airplane contacted a tree stump during the landing roll.

Although a review of the maintenance records revealed the airplane’s engine had not been overhauled in 24 years, exceeding the recommended engine overhaul time of 12 years, a postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA139 for the full record.