Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172I near Springfield, TN — 2012-01-19

Final reportERA12LA148
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Date
2012-01-19
Location
Springfield, TN, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172I
Registration
N35571
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot did not apply carburetor heat during approach to landing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying the airplane on the second leg of a visual flight rules cross-country trip, which he flew at an altitude of 3,500 feet in order to remain below an overcast ceiling. Approaching the destination airport, the pilot began a cruise descent and, about 10 miles from the airport, began configuring the airplane for landing. The pilot reduced engine power to about 1,500 rpm, set the mixture to full rich, but did not activate the carburetor heat. The engine then lost power, and the pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the nose landing gear struck a ditch. Responders noted that fuel was recovered from the airplane following the accident; the engine was run after the accident with no anomalies noted. The temperature and dew point reported on the surface at an airport located about 21 nautical miles from the accident site were conducive to carburetor icing at both glide and cruise power settings.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not activate carburetor heat during descent despite icing conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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