Accident Overview
On March 5, 2017, at about 1036 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150, registration N60939, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during a forced landing near Argyle, New York. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
Sequence of Events
The flight instructor reported that she conducted a preflight inspection and had the airplane fueled. After an uneventful engine runup, they departed. They performed two touch-and-go landings before leaving the airport area to practice slow flight maneuvers. The instructor stated that carburetor heat was used as necessary. They performed a power-off stall, recovered normally, then continued with slow flight and another power-off stall. When power was increased to recover from the second stall, engine rpm did not increase, and within seconds of applying full power, the engine lost all power and the propeller stopped rotating. The instructor lowered the nose to establish 65 mph airspeed, then checked the mixture, verified carburetor heat was on, and the primer was in and locked. Attempts to restart the engine using the starter were unsuccessful. After selecting a suitable field, she slipped the airplane to land. After touchdown on an uphill area, the airplane crested the hill, rolled down the opposite side, and struck trees.
According to the student, he was receiving instruction. The instructor performed a preflight inspection, and he performed another himself. Before the flight, 6 gallons of fuel were added to each tank. He conducted the takeoff, performed two to three touch-and-go landings, and then departed the traffic pattern for the practice area. They performed slow flight and power-off stalls twice. After the second power-off stall, the engine lost power. The student informed the instructor, who executed the engine failure checklist, and they attempted to restart the engine without success. The student noted that carburetor heat was used during the touch-and-go landings, slow flight, and power-off stalls.
Postaccident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airframe and engine. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The fuel shutoff was found in the "on" position, the throttle full aft, the carburetor heat full in, and the ignition switch off. Control continuity from the cockpit to the engine was confirmed for throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat. Thumb compression was established on all four cylinders, and both magnetos produced spark. The gascolator contained fuel, and the screen was clean. The carburetor was unobstructed with all controls operative. No intake leaks were observed. Approximately 5 gallons of fuel were recovered from the system.
Weather Conditions
The closest weather reporting facility, Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport (GFL) in Glens Falls, New York, about 10 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, reported at 1053 a temperature of -08° C and a dew point of -19° C, with a calculated relative humidity of 41%. Review of the icing probability chart in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 indicated that atmospheric conditions at the time were not conducive to carburetor ice formation at any power setting.