Pilot Debrief

CESSNA A150K near Brooksville, FL — 2021-07-13

Final reportERA21LA291
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Date
2021-07-13
Location
Brooksville, FL, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA A150K
Registration
N8412M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power as a result of carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

About 25 minutes after takeoff, while in cruise flight at 1,600 ft mean sea level, the pilot noted an audible rpm reduction followed by a vibration and a loss of power. During the emergency descent, he “cycled the carb heat,” verified the mixture control was set to rich and that the fuel selector was in the ON position, and attempted to restart the engine. Unable to restart the engine, he performed a forced landing to a heavily wooded area, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the wreckage and an engine test run revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. Based on the temperature and dew point about the time of the accident, the conditions were favorable for carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings. It is likely that, during the flight, carburetor ice formed, subsequently resulting in the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel quality before departure to prevent engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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