Pilot Debrief

AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1A near St. Jo, TX — 2021-12-09

Final reportCEN22LA076
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Date
2021-12-09
Location
St. Jo, TX, USA
Aircraft
AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1A
Registration
N111XJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing during cruise flight, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane’s engine lost power during cruise flight. He executed a forced landing to a field, and the airplane nosed over when the pilot applied braking to avoid trees and a deep ravine. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot attributed the loss of engine power to engine oil loss during flight. However, postaccident testing and inspection of the engine revealed that 6 quarts of oil remained in the engine. A test run of the engine was performed with no anomalies noted that would have precluded normal operations. Although there was oil staining and streaking on the exterior of the airplane, indicating a possible oil leak, there was still sufficient oil within the engine, oil pressure was normal during the postaccident test run, and no leaks were detected during the test run, leading to the conclusion that the loss of engine power was not due to an oil system issue. The temperature and dew point near the accident location at the time of the accident were conducive for serious carburetor icing at glide power. Thus, given the available information for this accident investigation, the loss of engine power was likely the result of carburetor icing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked for oil loss before flight to prevent engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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