Accident Details
On January 9, 2015, at about 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 150G airplane, registration N2871S, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground and nosed over after a loss of engine power during a go-around from runway 24 at Pontiac Municipal Airport (PNT), Pontiac, Illinois. The airplane was operated by Griffith Aviation as an instructional flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not on a flight plan. The flight originated from Griffith-Merrillville Airport (05C), Griffith, Indiana, about 1000.
Flight Sequence
The student pilot reported making a straight-in approach to runway 24, with the student manipulating the controls. The attempted landing resulted in a go-around, and the flight instructor took control. A second landing attempt was made with the instructor controlling; the student observed. During that landing, the airplane was not steady and bounced. The instructor attempted another go-around and advanced the throttle. During the climb, the student heard a sound, and the airplane veered left and stopped climbing. The student stated that when the airplane touched down, it flipped over.
The flight instructor reported that during the go-around, the engine began to sputter. When he pushed the carburetor heat control forward, the engine quit at about 5 feet above ground level. A right crosswind pushed the airplane left. The instructor attempted to land in a field to the right of the runway, but the landing gear sank into snow and the airplane nosed over.
Damage and Examination
The airplane sustained damage to the wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The flight instructor was not injured, and the student pilot reported minor injuries. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed no defects, although the wings had been removed for transport and the engine had been removed in preparation for examination. A complete teardown of the engine found no defects. The carburetor was disassembled; the fuel bowl was clean and no defects were noted.
Weather Conditions
At the accident airport at 1055, conditions were: wind from 290 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 26 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; overcast ceiling at 2,200 feet above ground level; temperature -14 degrees Celsius; dew point -18 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 30.38 inches of mercury. According to a carburetor icing probability graph, the recorded temperature and dew point were outside the range of susceptibility for carburetor icing.
Runway Information
Runway 24 at Pontiac Municipal Airport is 5,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. The student pilot reported no snow or ice on the runway, but there were snow banks along the sides.