Cessna 152 accident near Christianburg, Virginia, December 9, 1993
On December 9, 1993 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N49215, was substantially damaged in an accident near Christianburg, Virginia (Virginia Tech airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat which prevented the accumulation of carburetor ice and resulted in the loss of engine power. A factor was unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 9, 1993 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Christianburg, Virginia · Virginia Tech · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N49215 · registry record · serial 15283437
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE CRUISING AT 6500 FT, THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE STARTED TO SURGE AND LOSE RPM. USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT STOPPED THE SURGING, BUT DID NOT STOP THE POWER LOSS. THE PILOT SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING ON ROLLING TERRAIN. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE BECAME MOMENTARILY AIRBORNE AND THEN STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT, AND FLIPPED OVER. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN SATISFACTORILY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE FAA CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART, THE TEMPERATURE OF 56F AND DEWPOINT OF 34F FELL INTO AN AREA OF SERIOUS ICING, GLIDE POWER. THE FAA SAID THERE WERE NO SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREAS.
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: 134 hours in all; 26 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 17 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,294 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 16, 1993; 32 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DAN Danville VA at 8:00 pm
- Destination: BKW Beckley WV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from ROA, 23 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.