N6689G

On April 9, 1996, at 1700 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 150, N6689G, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of power. The pilot reported the engine lost its power shortly after he had turned the airplane onto a base leg for runway 02 at the Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport, Sikeston, Missouri. The airplane landed about 2,000 feet short of the runway's threshold. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Sikeston, Missouri, at 1655 cdt.

The pilot's written statement said he "...pulled the throttle..." opposite runway 02's approach end while on downwind at 90 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). He said he then applied carburetor heat. After slowing to 70 KIAS, the pilot said he made a shallow banked turn to base leg.

The pilot said while N6689G was on base leg its engine sounded as though it was decelerating. He said he confirmed that carburetor heat had been applied. According to the pilot, he made a shallow banked turn toward final approach. During this turn N6689G's propeller stopped rotating.

The pilot said he chose a field to land in rather than a busy street. As he approached the ground, the pilot said he slowed the airplane up so it would land before a ditch that was in front of him. The pilot said "...the airplane quit flying..." when it was between 10 and 15 feet above the ground. The airplane made a hard landing and nosed over during its landing roll according to the pilot.

During an interview with the pilot it was revealed that he had not flown the Cessna 150 for almost a year. He said he usually flies an airplane with a fuel injected engine that does not have carburetor heat. He said the final approach glide path N6689G was on looked like it was going to take the airplane into a ditch. He said he slowed the airplane down so it would descend and land before the ditch.

The pilot was asked if he flew the airplane too far on downwind after reducing power before turning base leg. He said he did now that he though about it. The before landing checklist for N6689G states: "Mixture--Rich, Carburetor Heat-- Apply full heat before closing throttle." The reported temperature/dew point for the airport located at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was 56 and 23 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. According to the FAA's Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, the temperature and dew point were adequate to create light carburetor icing during cruise or gliding flight. A copy of the chart is appended to this report.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration Principal Operations Inspector (POI) representing the NTSB on-scene, the airplane landed about 2,000 feet short of runway 02. The POI said the airplane nosed over after colliding with the ground. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine or airframe that would have prevented normal operation.