January 11, 2012, Fitchburg, Mass., Cessna 150G

The airplane was substantially damaged at 0930 Eastern time during an impact with terrain following loss of engine power during initial climb. The flight instructor received minor injuries and the student pilot was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. After two touch-and-go landings at a nearby airport, the engine began to run rough. The flight instructor took control, lowered the angle of attack and applied carburetor heat. The engine “immediately ran rougher” and the flight instructor pushed in the carburetor heat knob.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An airplane crashed and was substantially damaged due to a loss of engine power during initial climb, resulting in injuries to both the flight instructor and student pilot.
The cause of the engine power loss was identified as a disconnected fuel line at the carburetor, with corrosion and fretting found on the fitting threads.
Attempts by the flight instructor to apply carburetor heat during the engine's rough running initially worsened the condition before the aircraft settled and struck trees.

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After two touch-and-go landings at a nearby airport, the engine began to run rough. The flight instructor took control, lowered the angle of attack and applied carburetor heat. The engine “immediately ran rougher” and the flight instructor pushed in the carburetor heat knob. The engine then ran “less rough.” He tried to keep the airplane flying and was successful for about 15 to 20 seconds, but it then settled and struck trees.

Examination revealed a fuel stain on the airplane’s belly and dirt and oil on the inside of the cowling under the carburetor appeared to have been washed off. The fuel line from the fuel strainer to the carburetor was disconnected at the carburetor and threads inside the fuel line fitting connect it to the carburetor exhibited corrosion and fretting.