Casualties unknown

Aircraft Hits Cyclone Fence After Emergency Landing in Abandoned Drive-In (N36944)

West Nyack, NY, US

On October 22, 1990, a Cessna 152 (registration N36944) operated by Mac Dan Aviation Corp. was involved in an aviation accident near West Nyack, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING AND COLLISION WITH A FENCE. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WEATHER CONDITIONS SUITABLE TO FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICING. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane struck a cyclone fence following an emergency landing in an abandoned drive-in after the engine began running rough. Weather conditions indicated a probability of serious carburetor icing at cruise power.

Accident Details

The airplane was reporting surface vehicle traffic when, according to the pilot, the engine began running rough. The pilot declared an emergency and landed in an abandoned drive-in. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a cyclone fence, resulting in substantial damage.

Weather Conditions

Local weather at the time of the accident reported a temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. When these figures are plotted on a graph depicting the probability of encountering carburetor icing, they indicate a probability of 'serious icing at cruise power'.

Aircraft and Occupants

The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, or number of occupants. No information is provided regarding injuries or fatalities.

Conclusion

No explicit cause for the engine roughness or the accident is stated in the source. The weather conditions were noted to correspond to a high probability of carburetor icing, but no direct link is established.

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Oct 1990 Cessna 152 accident near West Nyack, NY?

An airplane struck a cyclone fence following an emergency landing in an abandoned drive-in after the engine began running rough. Weather conditions indicated a probability of serious carburetor icing at cruise power.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Oct 1990 involved a Cessna 152, registration N36944, operated by Mac Dan Aviation Corp., at West Nyack, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING AND COLLISION WITH A FENCE. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WEATHER CONDITIONS SUITABLE TO FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICING.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X24534. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.