Pilot Debrief

AERONCA O-58C near San Luis Obispo, CA — 2011-02-03

Final reportWPR11FA120
Sign in to save
Date
2011-02-03
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
Aircraft
AERONCA O-58C
Registration
N47503
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The pilot’s delay in using carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to an encounter with carburetor icing conditions.

NTSB narrative

The airplane was in cruise flight at 3,500 feet mean sea level when the engine lost power. The pilot restarted the engine, and it ran for about 20 seconds before again losing power. He applied carburetor heat, but the cycle of losing power and restarting for a few seconds occurred several times. The pilot attempted to land in a field, but collided with trees at the edge of the field. There was no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction found during a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine. The meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were conductive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power. Although the pilot applied carburetor heat after the initial power loss, the engine likely did not run long enough to melt the ice and restore power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to a nearby airport upon first signs of engine trouble.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

Related mishaps