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NTSB Report

December 27, 2025 · Cessna 140 · N89884

Ceres, VA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 2025
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Ceres, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 140 (1946)
Tail Number
N89884
Operator
Valiair Lc Trustee
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA26LA079

According to the pilot, while enroute, the engine rpm began to decrease. The pilot began to troubleshoot the partial loss of engine power by verifying the cockpit switches were in the correct position, verifying the fuel selector position, switching between the magnetos, and applying carburetor heat, but the engine power did not return. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, so the pilot made a forced landing into a field, during which the airplane collided with a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. Following the accident, the pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and stated that the partial loss of engine power the airplane experienced on the accident flight was likely the result of carburetor icing. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious icing at glide engine power settings.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to recognize and mitigate carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and forced landing.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, while enroute, the engine rpm began to decrease. The pilot began to troubleshoot the partial loss of engine power by verifying the cockpit switches were in the correct position, verifying the fuel selector position, switching between the magnetos, and applying carburetor heat, but the engine power did not return. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, so the pilot made a forced landing into a field, during which the airplane collided with a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. Following the accident, the pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and stated that the partial loss of engine power the airplane experienced on the accident flight was likely the result of carburetor icing. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious icing at glide engine power settings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:49 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN89884
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorValiair Lc Trustee
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental Aerospace Technolo · C85 SERIES · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 25 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 12 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 F / 43 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data