LUSCOMBE 8A near Rancho Cucamonga, CA — 2014-07-19

Probable cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, shortly after the airplane departed the airport for the personal flight, the engine lost power. His attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful. The pilot executed a forced landing to an open lot, and the airplane collided with terrain during the landing. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions about the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide power. However, it could not be determined whether carburetor ice caused the loss of engine power because the engine was operating at takeoff power at the time.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Engine power loss

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have checked for carburetor icing before flight.

NTSB coding

• Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) · Emergency descent
• Carburetor Icing Conditions

Evidence available

• Photos
• 4 docket documents

Docket documents4

• Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
• FAA-SAIB CE09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention, Chartother
• NTSB Airframe and Engine Examination Summaryother
• Photosphotos

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