Cessna 152 accident near Eugene, Missouri, March 10, 1994
On March 10, 1994 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N93679, was substantially damaged in an accident near Eugene, Missouri (Eldon airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
improper use of carbureter heat and a poorly planned precautionary landing approach. Factors related to the accident were carburetor icing conditions, the pilot's lack of total experience, trees and anxiety/apprehension.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 10, 1994 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Eugene, Missouri · Eldon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N93679 · no longer on the register · serial 15285534
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT SOLO PILOT WAS ON THE THIRD LEG OF A VFR CROSS COUNTRY AFTER A REFUELING STOP. THE NEAREST WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITY REPORTED TEMPERATURE AS 51 DEGREES F AND DEW POINT AS 23 DEGREES F. THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING EXPERIENCED CARBURETOR ICE INDICATIONS ON THE EARLIER LEGS. AFTER EXPERIENCING A SLIGHT DROP IN ENGINE RPM, CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED BY THE PILOT, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH AND CARBURETOR HEAT WAS TURNED OFF. WINDS WERE ESTIMATED AT 12 GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS AND THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS BECOMING HARD TO CONTROL. THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING INTO AN UNPREPARED FIELD. ON FINAL APPROACH, CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED AGAIN, BUT FULL POWER WAS NOT REGAINED. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 41 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 9 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,440 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 3, 1994; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,675 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VIH Vichy MO at 9:00 pm
- Destination: 9K4 Warrensburg MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from COU, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.