Pilot Debrief

HURLEY RICHARD A CAVALIER SA102.5 near Salem, IA — 2011-07-29

Final reportCEN11LA539
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Date
2011-07-29
Location
Salem, IA, USA
Aircraft
HURLEY RICHARD A CAVALIER SA102.5
Registration
N115RH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice.

NTSB narrative

About 25 minutes prior to reaching the intended refueling destination, the pilot noticed a drop in engine rpm. The pilot applied carburetor heat, the engine rpm increased, and he turned the carburetor heat off. All other engine instruments and indications appeared normal. During the descent, the engine rpm dropped again, and the pilot attempted to resolve the problem by again applying carburetor heat, changing throttle positions, and switching fuel tanks; however, he was unsuccessful. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot performed a forced landing to a cornfield. During postaccident examination of the airplane, fuel was noted in the airframe fuel tanks, and mechanical continuity was established throughout the engine. The airplane was operating in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power at the time of the accident. It is possible that, when the engine lost partial power during the descent, the carburetor heat was not effective, because the engine was operating at a low power setting and was not producing sufficient heat to melt the ice.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to a nearby airport after first RPM drop.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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