Pilot Debrief

KOVARS GARY D ZENITH ZODIAK 601XL near Richland Center, WI — 2014-10-09

Final reportCEN15LA020
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Date
2014-10-09
Location
Richland Center, WI, USA
Airport
93C
Aircraft
KOVARS GARY D ZENITH ZODIAK 601XL
Registration
N601GK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and flight instructor were practicing takeoffs and landings. During the fourth takeoff, the engine started running roughly and losing power; it then stopped producing power. They subsequently conducted a forced landing to a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear. Both wing fuel tanks contained fuel. An examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings. Therefore, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated during the landing and was present at takeoff, which resulted in the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the takeoff when engine started to run rough.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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