Pilot Debrief

MATHIEU CASSUTT near Louisville, NE — 2016-03-28

Final reportCEN16LA133
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Date
2016-03-28
Location
Louisville, NE, USA
Aircraft
MATHIEU CASSUTT
Registration
N78RM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to operate with partial carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

During a local flight, the pilot noticed the engine was running rough when he added power. He attempted to troubleshoot the problem; however, the engine continued to run rough, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine found no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he routinely flew with a partially-open carburetor heat setting. Since the weather conditions around the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice at glide and cruise power, it is likely that the partial carburetor heat setting and the lower power setting increased the engine's susceptibility to the formation of carburetor ice, resulting in the rough-running engine. When the pilot changed the throttle setting, full power was not available due to the ice formation.

Analysis

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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