Pilot Debrief

Miltenberger Family Fun near Adin, CA — 2008-09-10

Final reportLAX08CA295
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Date
2008-09-10
Location
Adin, CA, USA
Aircraft
Miltenberger Family Fun
Registration
N903PD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.

NTSB narrative

During a cross-country flight at an altitude of 9,500 msl, the pilot detected an odor which smelled like a hot engine. The pilot reduced engine power, and the odor went away. The engine then started running rough. At no time did the pilot apply carburetor heat. The pilot executed an emergency landing in a field, where the airplane impacted a wire fence. The airplane sustained damage to the right landing gear and its attach point. The pilot stated that the Ford 3.8 V-6 engine was susceptible to carburetor ice due to the carburetor installation. The closest weather reporting station noted the temperature was 68 degrees and the dew point was 34 degrees. The intersection of these two temperatures on a carburetor icing probability chart is right at the boundary between the two sections annotated "light icing cruise power" and "serious icing glide power." The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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