Accident Overview
On November 10, 2016, about 0540 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150H, registration N23473, nosed over during a forced landing in a field near Snow Hill, North Carolina. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Flight Details
The flight originated about 35 minutes prior from Raleigh East Airport (W17) in Knightdale, North Carolina, destined for Kinston Regional Jetport at Stallings Field (ISO), Kinston, North Carolina. The pilot performed a preflight inspection with no discrepancies reported. Departure fuel was about 13 gallons of automotive fuel.
Pilot Account
Approximately 35 minutes after takeoff, during cruise at 3,000 feet mean sea level, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot immediately applied carburetor heat, which remained on. The engine surged to full power one or two times but "immediately died back off." Attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful. The pilot turned toward a nearby airport but executed a forced landing in a field. During descent, the propeller continued to windmill. After the nose landing gear contacted the ground, the airplane nosed over.
Post-Accident Examination
On the same day, an FAA inspector examined the inverted airplane. The left fuel tank showed no visible fuel, while fuel was present in the right tank. The carburetor bowl contained a normal amount of uncontaminated fuel, and the inlet screen was clean. The float assembly moved freely with no binding; no rub marks were observed. The needle valve and seat operated normally, and the venturi appeared satisfactory. The fuel strainer and flexible fuel hose from the strainer to the carburetor contained normal amounts of uncontaminated fuel. The air induction and exhaust systems showed no blockage. Engine control continuity was confirmed, and controls were properly rigged. The carburetor heat door was in the heat-on position with no discrepancies.
The magnetos were securely attached and produced spark at all ignition leads when actuated by hand; they were retained for further testing. Spark plugs exhibited "dark charcoal around the outer perimeter and a light gray to whitish on the ground and center electrodes, very slight carbon buildup in the recessed center electrode area." The ignition switch operated normally with no discrepancies. Examination of the P-leads revealed a cracked shield on the left magneto, but no path to ground for either P-lead. Crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity was confirmed, and adequate oil remained.
After the airplane was uprighted the same day, fuel began leaking from the left fuel vent line. The pilot, present during recovery, estimated the left tank contained about 4 to 5 gallons of fuel.
Operational testing of the magnetos at an FAA-approved repair station revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
Weather Conditions
A surface weather observation at Wayne Executive Jetport Airport (GWW) at 0545 reported temperature 07°C and dewpoint 04°C. The accident site was located about 110° and 8 nautical miles from GWW. According to FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35, the environmental conditions were conducive for serious carburetor ice at cruise power.