Cessna 152 accident near Chandler, Arizona, May 8, 1999
On May 8, 1999 at about 5:19 am local time, a Cessna 152, registered N48845, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chandler, Arizona (Stellar Airpark 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 pilot's improper use of the carburetor heat and throttle control (rapid movement), which induced an overly rich condition and a loss of power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 1999 · about 5:19 am local time
- Place
- Chandler, Arizona · Stellar Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N48845 · no longer on the register · serial 15280999
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a go-around about 100 feet agl, the pilot applied full power and pushed in the carburetor heat and the engine quit completely, with no coughing or sputtering. The pilot reported that he headed for a field about 15 degrees off the runway heading. The aircraft touched down in the field and impacted a berm, a tree, and finally a light post. During recovery operations as the airplane was being trailered to the airport, a steady stream of fuel flowed out of the bottom fuel sump. The aircraft was later moved to another location where approximately 1 gallon of fuel was found in the tanks. An examination of the engine was conducted following recovery of the aircraft. No mechanical discrepancies were found with the engine or fuel system components. Dark sooty deposits were found in the carburetor throat. The carburetor does not have an accelerator pump.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 56 hours in all; 54 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 18 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,008 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 1999; 32 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: South Bay Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: TOA Torrance CA at 1:40 am
- Destination: P19
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 35, 4,004 ft by 55 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 090° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 am from PHX, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.