Pilot Debrief

AERONCA 11AC near Mocksville, NC — 2010-08-28

Final reportERA10LA504
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Date
2010-08-28
Location
Mocksville, NC, USA
Airport
8A7
Aircraft
AERONCA 11AC
Registration
N85929
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to attain the proper touchdown point, following a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, when it experienced a complete loss of engine power. He was able to glide the airplane onto the runway; however, he subsequently realized that he would not be able to stop before the end of the runway, and elected to turn right into bushes, rather than encounter the down-sloping terrain located beyond the runway. The airplane contacted the bushes, and flipped over, prior to coming to rest, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions which would have resulted in a loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he believed the loss of engine power was due to carburetor icing, and that he had applied carburetor heat, just prior to the loss of engine power. Review of a carburetor icing envelope chart revealed that the temperature and dew point reported at an airport located about 11 miles southeast of the accident site, at the time of the accident, was within the "serious icing (glide power)" area of the chart.

Analysis

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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