Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Rushville, IN — 2018-08-27

Final reportCEN18LA352
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Date
2018-08-27
Location
Rushville, IN, USA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N4379L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

Loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot indicated that, during the cross-country flight, the engine "sputtered" several times then regained power. During the descent, it sputtered again and then lost power. The pilot reported she did not believe she was experiencing carburetor icing conditions during the cruise portion of the flight and did not remember what temperature the carburetor temperature gauge was displaying at the time. During the descent, the pilot attempted to troubleshoot the engine power loss without applying carburetor heat but was not successful in regaining engine power. During the forced landing, she attempted to maneuver the airplane between a power line pole and several trees. The airplane struck the power lines and impacted a field in a slightly nose-down attitude, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane had adequate fuel on board to complete the flight. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power settings. The loss of engine power likely occurred due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat in conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have applied carburetor heat earlier to prevent engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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