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Accidents · NTSB CEN23LA036 · Final report

Cessna 152 accident near Manchester, Michigan, November 13, 2022

On November 13, 2022 at about 9:50 am local time, a 1977 Cessna 152, registered N222UM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Manchester, Michigan. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

A partial loss of engine power as a result of carburetor ice.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
November 13, 2022 · about 9:50 am local time
Place
Manchester, Michigan · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 152, built 1977 · all 152s on the register
Registration
N222UM · no longer on the register · serial 15281063
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

According to the flight instructor, the airplane was in cruise flight when the engine rpm dropped from about 2,400 to about 1,300. He took the flight controls from the student pilot, turned on carburetor heat, and used the checklist in an attempt to restore power. According to the flight instructor, while trying different throttle and mixture settings, the rpm increased to about 1,500 for about 10 seconds before reducing back to 1,300. According to the student pilot, after the engine rpm reduced to 1,300, the flight instructor applied carburetor heat, and the engine rpm reduced and then increased briefly. The instructor notified air traffic control of the power loss and diverted to the nearest airport. When he realized they would not be able to reach the airport, he selected a field for a forced landing. During the landing, the nosewheel dug into the soft soil, and the airplane flipped over, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) carburetor icing probability chart, the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. Therefore, it is likely that the loss of engine power was due to the formation of carburetor ice. Although the engine power increased briefly when the flight instructor applied carburetor heat, it is likely the amount of ice was too much for the carburetor heat to overcome.

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

  1. Fuel related during enroute (cruise) defining event
  2. Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise)

The NTSB's findings

  • Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
  • Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Ice/rain protection system › Intake anti › ice, deice › Not used/operated
  • Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
  • Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot

Flight instructor

  • Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
  • Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 1,017 hours in all; 463 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 34 in the last 30 days; 895 as pilot in command; 548 on instruments
  • Last flight review: June 10, 2022
  • Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: rgt
  • Injury: no injuries

Dual student

  • Certificate: student
  • Flight time: 95 hours in all; 94 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 11 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 26,494 hours
  • Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 10, 2022; 73.6 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 5,567 hours total
  • Operator: University Of Michigan Flyers INC

The flight

  • Departed from: KARB Ann Arbor MI at 9:31 am
  • Flight plan: none
  • A second pilot was aboard

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 300° at 8 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: overcast at 6,500 ft
  • Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
  • Observation at 9:53 am from KARB, 17 miles away

Weather report (METAR): KARB 131353Z 30008KT 10SM OVC065 00/M04 A3015

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew2

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.

Other NTSB records under N222UM the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time

2011-05-25CEN11LA368 · accident near Ann Arbor, MI · serious injuries

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.