Accident Details
On April 16, 2009, at about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152 (registration N64988) operated by Sunrise Aviation was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a field after a partial loss of engine power during climbout from Cross City Airport (CTY) in Cross City, Florida. The certificated private pilot and a student pilot passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to Ormond Beach Municipal Airport (OMN) in Ormond Beach, Florida. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Pilot Actions and Engine Behavior
The pilot reported departing CTY with 14 gallons of fuel. While climbing through 3,400 feet mean sea level (msl), engine power decreased by about 300 rpm, though the engine ran smoothly with no abnormal noise. The pilot verified the master switch was on, ignition selected to both, fuel selector on, mixture rich, and throttle full power. He then turned the carburetor heat on, where it remained for the remainder of the flight. Engine power continued a steady decay to 1,400 rpm as the airplane descended to 1,000 feet msl, prompting the pilot to perform a forced landing to a field he had been circling.
Inspection Findings
According to an FAA inspector, the recently certificated private pilot and student pilot were completing a round trip cross-country flight; the airplane had been "topped off" with fuel before the first leg. During the forced landing, the pilot overshot his intended landing point, and the airplane struck two fence posts before coming to rest inverted. Structural damage was sustained to both wings and the fuselage.
Examination of the wreckage revealed that, due to impact damage, the crankshaft was bent. The carburetor had separated and was impact damaged. The cabin heat was noted in the on position, and the carburetor heat was off; however, the carburetor box had been pulled from the airframe during impact. The FAA inspector could not identify the reason for the engine power loss.
Weather Conditions
The reported weather at CTY at 0953: wind from 050 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 17 degrees Celsius; dew point 11 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.11 inches of mercury. Review of an FAA Carburetor Icing Chart indicated "Serious icing - glide power" for the temperature/dew point combination.