Cessna 150L accident near Gladewater, Texas, December 28, 2013
On December 28, 2013 at about 6:15 pm local time, a 1970 Cessna 150L, registered N6905G, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Gladewater, Texas (Gladewater Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 28, 2013 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Gladewater, Texas · Gladewater Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150L, built 1970 · all 150Ls on the register
- Registration
- N6905G · no longer on the register · serial 15072405
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was returning to the airport after a short practice flight and that, as the airplane neared the airport, the engine started to lose power, and the rpm decreased. The pilot performed the restart checklist, but the engine did not respond. The pilot then chose to conduct a forced landing in a nearby clearing. Examination of the airplane revealed that fuel was available and that the fuel was clear of debris and contaminants. A test run of the engine was performed, and no abnormalities were noted. Atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the serious risk of carburetor ice accumulation at a glide power setting. It is likely that the engine lost power due to carburetor icing because it was operating at a reduced power setting for the approach to the airport.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach defining event
- Fuel related during approach
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 452 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 376 as pilot in command; 222 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,111 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 13, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 1,601 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor 0-200 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 07F Gladewater TX
- Destination: 07F Gladewater TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from KJXI, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Carburetor Ice Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Telephone Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.