Pilot Debrief

QUICKSILVER MX II near Marengo, IN — 2020-09-21

Final reportCEN20LA407
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Date
2020-09-21
Location
Marengo, IN, USA
Aircraft
QUICKSILVER MX II
Registration
UNREG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane in conditions conducive to carburetor icing without a carburetor heating system, contrary to the engine manufacturer’s guidance.

NTSB narrative

During the flight before the accident flight, the pilot was in-bound to a grass trip. As he approached the grass strip, he advanced the throttle, but the engine did not respond with increased power. He stated that the circumstances were similar to other carburetor icing events that he had experienced. He landed the airplane on the grass strip without incident and shut down the engine. He was on the ground for about 30 minutes before he decided to fly the airplane back to his residence. He started the engine and departed without any issue. He circled the airplane above the strip several times at full power, then decreased the power and proceeded toward home. According to the pilot, he was about 500 ft and turning toward his destination when the engine power decreased and would not respond to throttle movements. He turned toward an emergency landing area and became “disoriented and clipped a tree.” A postaccident examination revealed that the engine was not equipped with a carburetor heating system. The examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the weather conditions at the accident site, the airplane was operating in an area that was conducive for serious carburetor icing at glide power. It is likely that the engine experienced a loss of power due to carburetor icing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have waited for carburetor icing to melt before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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