Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 - M near Hardin, MT — 2013-10-21

Final reportWPR14LA023
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Date
2013-10-21
Location
Hardin, MT, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172 - M
Registration
N80257
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A rough-running engine and partial loss of power, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat appropriately while operating in an area conducive to carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, the engine began running roughly. He began troubleshooting the problem and turned on the carburetor heat but only for a few seconds. The pilot's attempts to restore full engine power were unsuccessful, so he chose to initiate an emergency landing to a field. During the landing flare, the airplane encountered a wind gust, which pitched the airplane's nose down. The nose gear dug into the soil, 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. Weather conditions in the area at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at cruise power. It is likely that the pilot did not apply carburetor heat long enough to prevent the accumulation of carburetor icing, which caused the engine to run roughly and lose partial power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have applied carburetor heat for longer to troubleshoot engine roughness.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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