Pilot Debrief

CALVIN NATE H VELOCITY STD RG E near Kingsport, TN — 2018-09-20

Final reportERA18TA255
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Date
2018-09-20
Location
Kingsport, TN, USA
Airport
TRI
Aircraft
CALVIN NATE H VELOCITY STD RG E
Registration
N67WR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, which resulted in a partial loss of power and an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, during a low power visual approach to land, the experimental, amateur-built airplane became low and slow on final approach. When he increased power to arrest the descent, the engine did not respond, and the airplane continued to descend, stalled, and impacted the approach lighting system and terrain before coming to rest about 400 ft short of the runway threshold. The fuselage, canard, and both wings sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions at the time were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power. The carburetor heat lever was found in the off position, and the pilot reported that he did not use carburetor heat for the approach to landing; thus, carburetor ice likely formed and reduced the power available to stop the descent into the approach lights and terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not use carburetor heat during low power descent despite icing conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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