Pilot Debrief

PIPER J3C-65 near Krum, TX — 2010-07-14

Final reportCEN10LA416
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Date
2010-07-14
Location
Krum, TX, USA
Aircraft
PIPER J3C-65
Registration
N35645
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power in flight due to carburetor icing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was practicing flight maneuvers near his home field over and around a lake. He reduced the engine's power to idle while performing a descending turn and then attempted to add power to bring the airplane to a level attitude. The engine experienced a total loss of power and the airplane's altitude was too low for the pilot to reach the shoreline. The pilot performed a forced landing into the lake, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and opined that the loss of engine power was due to carburetor icing. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact anomaly. A review of a carburetor icing chart located in Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed that the airplane was operating in an area that was conducive to serious icing at glide power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided descending turn with power near idle to prevent engine loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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