OLNEY, IL, USA
N1271C
CESSNA 177B
THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 4,000 FEET MSL IN IMC AND HEAVY SNOW WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. RESTART AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FARM FIELD. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS INDUCTION SYSTEM ICING AT CRUISE POWER SETTINGS.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SELECT CARBURETOR HEAT IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. RELATED FACTORS ARE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, REDUCED VISIBILITIES IN SNOW, LOW CEILINGS, THE DARK NIGHT, AND SOFT TERRAIN CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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