Pilot Debrief

Bice Air Creation GTE near Hayfork, CA — 2011-01-22

Final reportWPR11LA104
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Date
2011-01-22
Location
Hayfork, CA, USA
Aircraft
Bice Air Creation GTE
Registration
N4668L
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power during cruise flight, while operating in carburetor icing conditions.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, while en route on a cross-country flight, the weight-shift-control airplane's engine exhaust gas temperature and cylinder head temperature began to drop. The pilot believed this was due to carburetor icing. The airplane was not equipped with carburetor heat; therefore, no corrective action could be taken. The engine subsequently lost power, and the pilot performed a forced landing on heavily wooded mountainous terrain. The wing structure was substantially damaged during the forced landing, and both main landing gear separated from the fuselage. A review of a carburetor icing chart indicated that the temperature and dewpoint were conducive to the formation of serious icing at cruise power. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked for carburetor icing before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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