Pilot Debrief

CRAWFORD PRECEPTOR ULTRA PUP near Mabel, MN — 2014-05-17

Final reportCEN14LA244
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Date
2014-05-17
Location
Mabel, MN, USA
Aircraft
CRAWFORD PRECEPTOR ULTRA PUP
Registration
N1171Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The loss of engine power as a result of carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had recently purchased an airplane and was ferrying it to his home airport. During the first leg of the trip, he reported that the engine's rpm decreased two or three times from 3,200 to 2,800 rpm. The engine regained power shortly after the pilot applied carburetor heat. Shortly after departure on the second leg of the trip, the pilot felt a vibration in the engine, so he applied carburetor heat; however, the engine lost power and the airplane collided with trees in a wooded area. An examination of the engine did not reveal a reason for the power loss. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart indicated that the airplane was operating in an area that was associated with a risk of carburetor icing at glide power settings and light carburetor icing at cruise power. Because the airplane was being operated in an area of potential carburetor icing, and no anomalies could be found during postaccident testing, the engine likely lost power due to carburetor icing. However, the investigation was not able to determine that earlier application of carburetor heat would have prevented the loss of power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land immediately after first engine roughness.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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