On Jan. 11, 2023, a Cessna 150H, N22859 was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Farington Field Airport (K01) in Auburn, Nebraska.
The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured.
According to Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) information, the airplane departed Lincoln Airport (KLNK) in Lincoln, Nebraska, about 18:45 and climbed to 3,500 feet mean sea level (msl).
About six miles northwest of K01, the airplane began a descent and the last ADS-B information captured at 19:22:26 showed the airplane about 1.1 miles west of K01 at 105 knots groundspeed and about 1,900 feet msl.
The airplane crashed in a field without crops while on a southeasterly heading, about 1.2 miles south of the Runway 34 threshold at K01.
On the evening of the accident, United States Naval Observatory data indicated sunset occurred at 17:17, the end of civil twilight was at 17:47, and moonrise was at 21:53 (after the accident). The accident site was surrounded by farm fields with an absence of lighting.
According to FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, the probability of carburetor icing during the weather conditions of the accident was serious at cruise power.
Ground impressions of the landing gear and crushing of the front fuselage (nose area) were consistent with a near wings level and moderate nose down attitude during impact.
All components of the airplane were observed at the impact site. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The wing flaps and wing flap actuator were both observed in the retracted position. Fuel drained from both wing tanks and the fuel bowl contained no indications of water or sediment.
The propeller spinner was crushed aft, with minimal rotational damage. Both propeller blades were bent aft, with minimal rotational scoring or polishing. The throttle control was observed in a mid-position and was bent, and the mixture control was near the full forward (rich) position. The carburetor heat control was observed in the full forward (off) position.
The flight instructor was issued his initial flight instructor certificate on Aug. 6, 2022, and a flight instructor instrument airplane rating on Nov. 22, 2022. The flight instructor had accumulated about 36 total flight hours at night, and about 12 flight hours instructing students at night.
Probable Cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control after a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing while maneuvering for forced landing in dark night visual meteorological conditions.
NTSB Identification: 106566
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This January 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
