Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182D near Desert Camp, CA — 2022-03-02

Final reportWPR22LA115
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Date
2022-03-02
Location
Desert Camp, CA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 182D
Registration
N8814X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The airplane’s loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after takeoff, while operating in the vicinity of the Salton Sea, he leveled off about 600 ft above ground level. The wind was out of the southeast and coming off the large body of water. After flying straight and level for about 4 miles, he moved the fuel selector from the “both” position to the “right” tank position. About 4 miles later a partial loss of engine power occurred. The engine continued to operate but was unable to produce adequate power to sustain flight. The pilot made a right turn and attempted to troubleshoot the loss of power to no avail, and the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot landed on a soft dirt field and the airplane nosed over. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. An engine test run was completed with no anomalies or malfunctions identified. A review of the Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Probability Chart revealed that a serious probability of carburetor icing existed while operating within the atmospheric conditions, which included a relative humidity of greater than 50 percent that was present at the time of the accident. The pilot reported applying carburetor heat after the partial loss of power, per the emergency checklist, followed by the subsequent total loss of engine power. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, the loss of engine power during low altitude flight near a large body of water without the application of carburetor heat, was likely the result of carburetor icing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not switch fuel selector back after partial power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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