Pilot Debrief

STINSON SR-7B near West Ossipee, NH — 2012-05-13

Final reportERA12LA332
Sign in to save
Date
2012-05-13
Location
West Ossipee, NH, USA
Airport
NH69
Aircraft
STINSON SR-7B
Registration
N16122
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate application of carburetor heat which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice and a partial loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the airplane was in cruise flight at 1,500 feet above ground level when he noticed a decline in engine manifold pressure. The pilot pushed the carburetor heat in and pulled it back out after a short time with no power improvement. Unable to reach the airport, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a logging road. During the landing, the landing gear contacted stacked logs; the airplane flipped and impacted the ground inverted. Review of the carburetor icing chart for the reported temperature and dewpoint revealed the probability of icing at glide and cruise power. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly, and accessories revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land at a different location before engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents12

Related mishaps