ARCATA, CA, USA
N1608F
CESSNA 172H
THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO GRADUALLY LOSE POWER, THEN QUIT ALTOGETHER. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING IN A PASTURE, HIT A BERM DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND FUEL IN ALL TANKS AND LINES. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED IN THE AIRCRAFT AND EXERCISED THROUGHOUT ITS NORMAL POWER RANGE. THE ARCATA AVIATION SURFACE OBSERVATION WAS REPORTING A TEMPERATURE OF 50 DEGREES AND A DEW POINT OF 38 DEGREES. REVIEW OF THE CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA OF THE CHART DEFINED AS 'SERIOUS ICING, CLIMB OR CRUISE POWER.'
CARBURETOR ICING AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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