Pilot Debrief

BROWN BARNETT J4B near Sheridan, CA — 2009-03-20

Final reportWPR09LA161
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Date
2009-03-20
Location
Sheridan, CA, USA
Aircraft
BROWN BARNETT J4B
Registration
N35JB
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.

NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight, the gyroplane experienced a loss of engine power and the pilot initiated a forced landing onto a highway. After an uneventful landing, the pilot steered the gyroplane off the road to avoid a vehicle, and the gyroplane encountered a ditch and rolled onto its right side. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent and wrinkled, and the rotor head was destroyed. Postaccident examination of the engine by the gyroplane's owner revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions. The owner stated that the high humidity and the pilot's description of the power loss indicated carburetor icing had occurred. The owner further stated that the gyroplane was equipped with carburetor heat; however, the pilot did not use it. Review of the carburetor ice probability chart revealed that the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to icing conditions at cruise power and serious icing conditions at glide power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not use carburetor heat despite conditions conducive to icing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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