CESSNA 305A near Sulphur, LA — 2015-11-24
- Date
- 2015-11-24
- Location
- Sulphur, LA, USA
- Airport
- UXL
- Aircraft
- CESSNA 305A
- Registration
- N5312G
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Fatalities
- 0
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to water and contaminants in the carburetor, which resulted in a forced landing to a wet field.
NTSB narrative
After about 50 minutes of uneventful flight, the commercial pilot was performing touch-and-go landings. After completing the second touch-and-go landing, the pilot applied full power for takeoff, pushed the carburetor heat control to the forward (off) position, rotated off the runway, and started a standard climb to pattern altitude. While turning on crosswind to set up for a full-stop landing, the engine lost total power. The pilot executed a forced landing in a field with dense, wet vegetation, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot-rated passenger reported that the entire flight was normal until the loss of engine power and forced landing. The weather conditions were conducive to the formation of moderate carburetor icing at cruise power or serious icing at descent power. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor was intact and was not impact damaged before disassembly. Further examination found water and corrosion in the carburetor bowl. Although the weather conditions were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing, because of the amount of water and corrosion found in the carburetor, it is likely that the fuel system was contaminated, which caused the loss of engine power.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- Engine power loss
- First missed decision gate
- Pilot could have checked for carburetor icing before takeoff.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- Photos
- 5 docket documents
Docket documents5
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