Pilot Debrief

ROBERT MILES Smith Trike near Lewiston, IL — 2018-07-04

Final reportGAA18CA397
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Date
2018-07-04
Location
Lewiston, IL, USA
Aircraft
ROBERT MILES Smith Trike
Registration
N11VW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat in conditions conducive to carburetor icing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a forced landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during cruise flight into "wispy clouds," the biplane’s engine started to "run rough" then lost all power. About 800 ft above ground level, he restarted the engine, but it quit again. He attempted to restart the engine multiple times but was unsuccessful, so he selected a gravel road for landing. During the landing, the airplane ground looped into a ditch. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located 25 nautical miles away from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 5 knots, visibility 7 statute miles, clouds broken at 4,800 ft above ground level, temperature 77°F, and dew point 75°F. The pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat during the accident flight. The atmospheric conditions were conducive to serious icing at glide power settings. It is likely that the engine lost power due to carburetor icing and the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not apply carburetor heat during flight, which could have prevented icing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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