Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172K near Milan, IL — 2014-01-26

Final reportCEN14LA134
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Date
2014-01-26
Location
Milan, IL, USA
Airport
MLI
Aircraft
CESSNA 172K
Registration
N4VN
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat while operating the airplane in atmospheric conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing during a short final approach.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power when he applied carburetor heat during a 1-mile final approach to the destination airport. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a field. Although the pilot stated that the engine rpm decreased when he actuated the carburetor heat during the preflight run-up, postaccident examinations revealed no mechanical anomalies with the carburetor or its heat system that would have precluded normal operation. Atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. It is likely that the pilot's delayed use of carburetor heat resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided applying carburetor heat during approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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