Cessna 150 accident near Fulton, New York, April 11, 2019
On April 11, 2019 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 1966 Cessna 150, registered N3795J, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Fulton, New York (Oswego County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to leave the carburetor heat on fully after his initial application of carburetor heat.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 2019 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fulton, New York · Oswego County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 G, built 1966 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N3795J · no longer on the register · serial 15065095
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After descending with the engine power above 2,000 rpm, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the destination airport. Just after turning onto the base leg of the pattern, the pilot applied the carburetor heat and the engine “faltered” and lost partial power. The pilot then deactivated the carburetor heat, and the engine regained some power. He reapplied the carburetor heat, and the engine stopped. He attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. While performing a forced landing to a road, the right wing impacted a utility pole and the airplane rolled over and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for carburetor icing at altitude and at the surface. It is likely that carburetor ice developed during the descent; when the pilot applied the carburetor heat while in the traffic pattern, the ice began to melt, which introduced water into the engine intake and resulted in the engine losing partial power. The pilot’s subsequent cycling of the carburetor heat at a relatively low power setting likely resulted in the total loss of engine power.
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 (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during approach (VFR pattern base)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Contributed to outcome
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Ice/rain protection system › Intake anti › ice, deice › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 147 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 62 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 18, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,583 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 28, 2018; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 3,586 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MAL Malone NY at 4:30 pm
- Destination: FZY Fulton NY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 06, 3,997 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 41°F (5°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from FZY, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on December 9, 2021. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Log Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Manufacturer Engine Examination Report | PDF, 21 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.