SNOW HILL, NC, USA
N8869L
GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5
ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO A RETURN FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED TO ATC THAT HIS ENGINE HAD FAILED, AND HE WAS ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING ON A RURAL ROAD. NIGHT, VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. AS THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN, IT COLLIDED WITH A PINE TREE, THE LEFT WING SEVERED, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST INVERTED, A FIRE ERUPTED, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. ACCORDING TO CARBURETOR ICING CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. FACTORS WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, AND THE DARK NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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