NTSB Identification: ANC13CA062
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 06, 2013 in Kodiak, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/13/2013
Aircraft: AERONCA 11AC, registration: N9118E
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot was flying a potential buyer of the airplane on a pre-buy inspection flight. Just after leveling the airplane in cruise flight, the engine lost power momentarily. He applied carburetor heat, and the engine regained normal power. While returning to the airport, he turned the carburetor heat back off, and then on again, and the engine again lost power. He stated that this time, the engine power could not be restored, and with no suitable landing sites available within gliding distance, he ditched the airplane into the water paralleling the shoreline. During the ditching, the airplane nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
Based on the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident, the conditions were favorable for serious carburetor icing at any power setting.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to continue the use of carburetor heat after experiencing carburetor ice.
The pilot was flying a potential buyer of the airplane on a pre-buy inspection flight. Just after leveling the airplane in cruise flight, the engine lost power momentarily. He applied carburetor heat, and the engine regained normal power. While returning to the airport, he turned the carburetor heat back off, and then on again, and the engine again lost power. He stated that this time, the engine power could not be restored, and with no suitable landing sites available within gliding distance, he ditched the airplane into the water paralleling the shoreline. During the ditching, the airplane nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
Based on the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident, the conditions were favorable for serious carburetor icing at any power setting.
A Aeronca 11AC Chief
plane floats upside down about 30 yards from the shore off Fort
Abercrombie in Kodiak Saturday afternoon. Two people on board are
reportedly in good condition after making it to shore.
Photo courtesy Wanda Sizemore
~
A Aeronca 11AC Chief
plane floats upside down about 30 yards from the shore off Fort
Abercrombie in Kodiak Saturday afternoon. Two people on board are
reportedly in good condition after making it to shore.
Photo courtesy Wanda Sizemore
~
ANCHORAGE, Alaska— Two men survived a small plane crash Saturday afternoon near Ft. Abercrombie on Kodiak, according to Alaska State Troopers.
AST received a report from the Kodiak Police Department about a possible plane crash around 2:24 p.m. near the Ft. Abercrombie State Park.
Kodiak pilot Tyler Polum, 26, was flying his 1947 Aeronca 11AC Chief, a single engine, two-seat plane, with a Jason Brooks, 44, a potential buyer from Palmer. The plane took off from Kodiak Municipal Airport earlier Saturday.
While conducting test flight operations over the Monashka Bay area, the aircraft engine began to sputter, in which Polum suspected carburetor icing,” AST wrote in dispatch. “After applying carburetor heat which cleared the sputtering, Polum headed the aircraft back towards Kodiak. The engine cleared, and he deactivated the carburetor heat, however, the engine began sputtering again and he lost power.”
Troopers say Polum landed the plane in the ocean about 50 yards off shore in an area known as the Ft. Abercrombie Ram Site. The plane sank upside down after striking the water. Polum and Brooks exited the plane and swam to shore.
Medics treated Polum for minor injuries to his and wrists and Brooks reported no injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board released the plane back to the owner after being contacted. The plane was estimated to be worth $25,000 and recovery efforts were underway Saturday afternoon.
Alaska Wildlife Troopers, a Village Public Safety Officer, a State Parks Ranger, Kodiak Fire Department EMS, Bayside Volunteer Fire Department EMS, along with troopers responded to the scene via AWT patrol boat and emergency vehicles.
Source: http://articles.ktuu.com
