AFTON, WY, USA
N9609G
Christen Industries A-1
DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING, DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT VALVE HAD BEEN SECURED IN THE COLD OR OFF POSITION. THIS MODIFICATION DID NOT ALLOW FOR THE CARBURETOR HEAT TO BE APPLIED. AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE, THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATING IN ICING CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO OTHER MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS FOUND.
AN IMPROPER MAINTENANCE MODIFICATION TO DISABLE THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BY UNKNOWN PERSONNEL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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