Accident Overview
On February 18, 2023, at about 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 150L airplane with registration N6536G was substantially damaged in an accident near Venus, Texas. The aircraft was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured.
Flight History
According to the flight instructor, during practice of power-off stall recoveries, the student pilot added engine power and retracted the wing flaps when the engine began to lose power. The instructor took control and scanned the engine instruments, noting that oil temperature was in the green range while oil pressure indicated 0 psi and was blinking in the red. The engine subsequently lost all power, and the instructor executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Substantial damage was sustained to the empennage and vertical stabilizer.
Post-Accident Examination
The airplane was recovered to the flight school. An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) examined the airframe and engine on site. No pre-impact anomalies were noted. The engine remained attached to the airframe and was started normally, idling at 900 rpm for several minutes with oil pressure indicating in the normal operating range. Power was advanced to 1,300 rpm with no discrepancies. Due to safety concerns, further power increase was not attempted. Actuation of the carburetor heat control resulted in an expected drop in engine speed. A magneto check showed no deficiencies.
Carburetor Icing Conditions
A review of the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated June 30, 2009, determined that the airplane was operating in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power, and serious icing at glide power. The instructor reported that carburetor heat was used during the stall training.