Event ERA12LA106

Factual narrative

On December 9, 2011, at 1040, eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N471TC, registered to Florida Flight Training Center and operated by an individual, incurred substantial damage during a force landing near the Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Venice, Florida. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, personal flight. The flight was originating from the same airport. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice flight maneuvers for an upcoming checkride. Prior to takeoff, he fueled the airplane and performed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted. The airplane had 18 gallons of fuel on board prior to takeoff. The pilot departed the airport about 0955 and flew to the practice area to perform the maneuvers. After practicing flight maneuvers, he flew the airplane back to VNC in order to practice touch-and-go takeoff and landing maneuvers. During the takeoff of the first touch-and-go maneuver, the engine “suddenly quit” at an altitude of 100-150 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot initiated a left turn in order to land in a nearby field, but he realized that the airplane was too low and performed a forced landing between hangars and subsequently, the airplane struck powerlines and a hangar. The pilot noted that the total flight time for the flight was 0.8 hours. The local authorities stated that pilot said the airplane had a loss of engine power during the initial climb after a touch and go landing on runway 04 at VNC. After the loss of power, the pilot maneuvered the airplane in a left turn colliding with electrical wires before impacting a business building. In addition, local police interviewed a witness who stated that he was on airport property when he heard the accident airplane engine “stop” when the airplane was 100 feet agl and then “start” again. The witness reported that the airplane continued to climb to 200 feet agl when the engine quit again, then started and stopped when the airplane was in a turn to the left. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducted an examination of the airplane’s fuel systems at the accident site. No discrepancies were noted and sufficient fuel to operate the airplane was on board at the time of the accident. A post wreckage recovery engine run was conducted with FAA oversight. An engine run was conducted with operational checks of the carburetor heat system and magnetos. Additionally, full power and engine acceleration checks were performed with no discrepancies noted. The engine started, produced, and maintained power with no anomalies noted during the test run. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land, which he earned in September 2011. In addition, FAA records indicated that he held a foreign based pilot certificate. He reported that he accumulated 2,497 total hours of flight experience, of which, 25 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on August 25, 2011. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1977 and was equipped with a Lycoming O-235-L2C, 110 horsepower engine. The most recent 100-hour inspection was performed on November 24, 2011, and at that time the airplane had accrued 2981.1 total hours of time in service. According to the engine maintenance log, the most recent oil change was performed on December 6, 2011, at 3012.2 hours of time in service. On the day of the accident, the tachometer indicated 3017.3 total hours of time in service. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice flight maneuvers for an upcoming checkride. Prior to takeoff, the pilot fueled the airplane and performed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted. After practicing the flight maneuvers, the pilot flew the airplane back to the airport in order to practice touch-and-go landings. During the takeoff portion of the first touch-and-go maneuver, the engine lost power about 100 to 150 feet above ground level. The pilot initiated a left turn to land in a nearby field, but he realized that the airplane was too low so he performed a forced landing between hangars; the airplane collided with powerlines and a building. A postaccident examination revealed adequate fuel on board. An engine test run was performed and the engine operated satisfactorily with no anomalies noted. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C