Pilot Debrief

RUSSELL E OBERG MURPHY REBEL near Fort Collins, CO — 2017-10-12

Final reportCEN18LA013
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Date
2017-10-12
Location
Fort Collins, CO, USA
Aircraft
RUSSELL E OBERG MURPHY REBEL
Registration
N734R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice accumulation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, the engine started to sputter then experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted to restore power without success and conducted a forced landing to a field, where the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that he did not use carburetor heat following the loss of engine power. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the recorded weather information in the area indicated that the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of serious carburetor icing at any power setting. The total loss of engine power was likely due to an accumulation of carburetor ice. Had the pilot immediately applied carburetor heat, it is possible that it would have cleared the ice and restored engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not use carburetor heat to prevent icing during engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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